By Joshua McElwee and Crispian Balmer, Reuters
Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance arrive at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport. Photo: AFP / Pool / Jacquelyn Martin
Pope Leo XIV will formally take up his role as leader of the global Catholic Church on Sunday, with a Mass at St Peter's Square that will draw tens of thousands of wellwishers, including dozens of world leaders and European royalty.
Crowds are expected to cram the square and surrounding streets in Rome for the formal celebration, which starts at 10am local time (8pm NZ) and includes the first ride in the white 'popemobile' by Leo, the first pope from the United States.
Born in Chicago, the 69-year-old pontiff spent many years as a missionary in Peru and also has Peruvian citizenship, meaning he is also the first pope from that South American nation.
Robert Prevost - a relative unknown on the world stage, who only became a cardinal two years ago - was elected pope on 8 May, after a short conclave of cardinals that lasted barely 24 hours.
He replaces Pope Francis from Argentina, who died on 21 April, after leading the church for 12 often-turbulent years, during which he battled with traditionalists and championed the poor and marginalised.
US Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert who clashed with Francis over the Trump administration's hard-line immigration policies, will lead a US delegation, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also Catholic.
Usha Vance, right, and Vice President JD Vance are greeted by Bruno Pasquino from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Monsignor Christopher Washington of the Holy See Secretariat. Photo: AFP / pool / Jacquelyn Martin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will also attend and would be happy to meet other leaders, a top aide said, as he did at Francis' funeral, when he had face-to-face talks with US President Donald Trump in St Peter's Basilica.
Zelensky last met Vance in February at the White House, when the two men clashed fiercely in front of world media.
Also expected at the Vatican ceremony are the presidents of Peru, Israel and Nigeria, the prime ministers of Italy, Canada and Australia, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Many European royals will also be in the VIP seats near the main altar, including Spanish King Felipe and Queen Letizia.
Focus on peace
In various sermons and comments since his election as pope, Leo has praised Francis repeatedly, but has not offered many hints about whether he will continue with the late pontiff's vision of opening the Church up to the modern world.
His homily on Sunday will likely indicate some of the priorities for his papacy, having already made clear, over the past 10 days, that he will push for peace whenever possible.
Pope Leo addresses the crowd from the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time. Photo: AFP
His first words in an appearance to crowds in St Peter's Square on the night of his election were "Peace be with you all", echoing words Catholics use in their celebrations.
In a 14 May address to officials of the eastern Catholic Churches - many of whom are based in global hotspots such as Ukraine and the Middle East - the new pope pledged he would make "every effort" for peace.
He also offered the Vatican as a mediator in global conflicts, saying war was "never inevitable".
Sunday's Mass will feature prayers in several languages, in a nod to the global reach of the 1.4-billion member Church, including Latin, Italian, Greek, Portuguese, French, Arabic, Polish, and Chinese.
As part of the ceremony, Leo will also formally receive two items, as he takes up the papacy - a liturgical vestment known as a pallium, a strip of lambswool that represents his role as a shepherd, and a special band known as the fisherman's ring.
The ceremonial gold signet ring is specially cast for each new pope and can be used by Leo to seal documents. It features a design of St Peter holding the keys to heaven and will be broken after his death, marking an end to his papacy.
- Reuters
