Pope Leo XIV being formally inaugurated this Sunday
Earlier this morning, he made his first Popemobile tour around St. Peter's
Over a quarter of a million people in attendance. Among them are some 150 delegations, including presidents and kings
Today's formal installation ceremony blending ancient ritual with evocative symbol. Leo replaces Francis, who died last month
and a lot of attention will be on this Sunday's homily. Sima Gupta reports
Essentially, this is really the start of his entire pontificate. It is the beginning of it all, a celebration, if you like, through this service
Before it all began, we even saw him in that Popemobile, as you mentioned
going through the crowds. People were shouting, Viva il Papa, long live the Pope, Viva Leone
because, of course, it's Pope Leo XIV. And so he stopped at several points to bless some children
It was a chance for him to really get up close and personal with the faithful that have gathered at St Peter's Square
and all the roads leading up to it, big screens set up everywhere
and security, of course, very tight with some 150 delegations, of course, present world leaders, royals
as well as representatives from other religions as well. You got Jewish Muslim Hindu delegations present as well So this is an important symbolic ceremony
He began the entire thing by praying at the tomb of St. Peter inside the basilica
With a procession, he came into the square. And we saw also some symbolic moments where he was presented with the papal palium
Now, that's the lamb's wool stole that is placed on him. This is a symbol of the papacy
It's a symbol as he is the shepherd now leading the flock. And he also receives the fisherman's ring
That is the ring that seals papal documents. So those two symbols, very important for the start of this papacy
Of course, very significant that we've also got those delegations right up top
the Italian delegation, of course, with President Sergio Mattalera, as well as Prime Minister
Georgia Meloni, but also the representatives from the United States and Peru, because
of course, Pope Leo has a dual citizenship. So you have the U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance
as well as the Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but also the Peruvian president, and as well as
the presidents of Israel as well present here today, and the prime ministers of Australia, Canada and France
So really, top leaders present for this very important service that marks the start of this pontificate