On Sunday, May 18, Pope Leo XIV will formally begin his papal reign following his Inaugural Mass in Saint Peter’s Square.
Although Pope Leo XIV has already performed various ceremonial roles in his capacity as the newly elected Pope, he will not be empowered to take actions affecting the Vatican’s official policy until after Sunday’s Inaugural Mass.
Pope Leo XIV has markedly been venerated by overflow crowds in Saint Peter’s Square during both of the Pope’s public appearances this week.
On the contrary, War Room’s Ben Harnwell reported that large masses of mourners did not convene in Saint Peter’s Square during the days immediately following Pope Francis’s death.
Frankly, Pope Leo XIV can now seize this opportunity to rekindle the faith in millions of Catholics who did not align with Pope Francis’s policies embracing non-traditional Christianity.
However, before Pope Leo XIV can begin to realize his own papal mandate, he must first take part in certain longstanding Vatican traditions, such as the presentation of the Fisherman’s Ring, and the Pallium, to the Pope.
Symbolizing Saint Peter’s vocation as a humble fisherman, and Christ’s sobriquet as the Good Shepherd, respectively, Pope Leo XIV must don these articles so fundamental to the papal regalia, in order to embody his high Catholic office.
In the meantime, certain elements unique to Pope Leo XIV’s transition are underway.
Earlier today, the Vatican began its preparation of Pope Leo XIV’s living quarters in the Apostolic Palace, where Pope Francis decided to forgo residing.
According to the Catholic TV network, Catholic Satellite, Pope Leo XIV’s transition into the Apostolic Palace is expected to take approximately 7 weeks.
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV had taken possession of the Papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican. The plan is for him to move in permanently in about 7 weeks time. pic.twitter.com/YXNrqcy9P2
— Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) May 12, 2025
While foreign dignitaries and worshipers solidify their travel arrangements to attend Sunday’s Inaugural Mass, Pope Leo XIV has begun outlining his papal mandate for fellow Cardinals and for the media.
Earlier today, Pope Leo XIV called for the end of the wars in Israel and Ukraine, while advocating the release of imprisoned journalists abroad.
As to Pope Leo XIV’s expected policies, The Gateway Pundit reported that Pope Leo XIV is generally regarded as a centrist within the Catholic Church, blending progressive social outreach with doctrinal conservatism, according to College of Cardinals Report.
Historically, high offices may shape the officeholder to a near-equal extent that the officeholder affects his own office.
From this standpoint, we can only wait and see whether Pope Leo XIV’s reign will be more centrist, left-leaning, or traditional.
