The Vatican has announced that the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV will be held on May 18 with a mass at St. Peter’s Square, officially marking the start of his papacy following the death of Pope Francis.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. local time (8 a.m. GMT).
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the new pope on Thursday, becoming the first American to hold the position.
His election was signaled by the traditional white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel after four rounds of voting during the conclave.
For now, the Vatican says Pope Leo XIV will retain the current senior officials who served under Pope Francis.
His first general audience with the public is expected to take place on May 21.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu joined leaders across the world in congratulating the Roman Catholic Church on the election of Pope Leo XIV, the new head of the global Catholic community.
![Tinubu Meets Peter Obi And Fayemi At Pope Leo’s Inauguration Ceremony [Photos]](https://media.kanyidaily.com/2025/05/19081306/Tinubu-Peter-Obi-Fayemi-150x150.webp "Tinubu Meets Peter Obi And Fayemi At Pope Leo’s Inauguration Ceremony [Photos] 23")
![Nigerian Archbishop Protest Against President Buhari With Heavy Coffin On His Head [Photos] 4](https://media.kanyidaily.com/2021/04/12184647/Archbishop-Samson-Benjamin-Buhari.jpg "Nigerian Archbishop Protest Against President Buhari With Heavy Coffin On His Head [Photos] 31")
