Pope Leo XIV’s first mass live: latest updates of Robert Prevost at the Sistine Chapel
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Pope Leo XIV's first mass: as it happened
Watch Pope Leo XIV's first mass
Here is the live feed of Pope Leo XIV's first mass as he delivers it to the Cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel.
What's next on Leo's schedule?
Pope Leo XIV's next task is to recite the Regina Coeli prayer at St Peter's Basilica on Sunday.
On Monday, he will meet members of the media in the Vatican for the first time as pontiff.
And the mass is over!
To a huge applause, Pope Leo XIV leaves the Sistine Chapel, and with a huge smile on his face.
FRANCIS CHUNG / POOL / EFE
Does Pope Leo XIV like Trump?
Originally from Chicago, United States, the 69-year-old pontiff has spent much of his career in Peru but he holds the distinction of being the first American to lead the Catholic Church. Despite being an American, Leo XIV has been publicly critical of the Trump administration, specifically Vice President J. D. Vance and his new immigration policies.
On February 3, 2025 the new Pontiff shared some thoughts via his X account, @drprevost, sharing an article entitled “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others”. The article was written by columnist Kat Armas and published in the National Catholic Reporter, attacking the anti-immigration statements made by Vance on January 29 of this year during an interview with Fox News.
After a brief message in English, Pope Leo XIV has returned to speaking Italian.
"I'll being in English and the rest will be in Italian", Pope Leo XIV says.
We're still to hear from Pope Leo XIV
We've had readings and psalms in both English and in Spanish, but nothing from the man himself just yet.
What is Leo XIV's ideology?
Valentina Alazraki, a Mexican journalist and Televisa‘s Vatican correspondent since 1974, described Prevost during his inauguration as a “reformer, close to Francis, concerned for the poor - it makes perfect sense that he was chosen.”
La Nación, an Argentine newspaper, described him in a report - after interviewing several of his supporters - as a “balanced alternative, capable of navigating between the progressive and conservative wings that have caused division within the Church,” an analysis echoed by The New York Times: “He represents a respectable middle ground.”
We've heard the opening reading and now we're listening to Psalm 97.
Leo XIII: the “Rosary Pope”
The most recent predecessor to bear the name was Pope Leo XIII, who led the Church from February 20 1878 to July 20 1903. His papacy set the foundation for modern Catholic social teaching, addressing the challenges of industrializationand economic inequality of the day.
By selecting the name Leo XIV, Pope Prevost may be signaling a commitment to strength, reform, and engagement with contemporary social issues—values historically associated with Leo V. His decision has already sparked discussions about the direction he may take the Church in the coming years.
More latin prayers from Leo; the first reading is about to begin
The opening prayers are over and the Cardinals have sat down.
Pope Leo XIV's first words
A quick blessing in Latin, sung delightfully, before "peace be with you. Brother and Sisters, let us acknowledge our sins."
"May almighty God have mercy on our sins and lead us to eternal life, amen."
We've now got an ancient Greek song from the choir.
Leo XIV has incensed the altar and now we are awaiting his first words.
The Pope is arriving to the Sistine Chapel...
He walks the same path that everyone took to swear the oath as the choir sings him on his way.
Everyone awaits the Pope in silence
It's serious faces all round as the Cardinals await the entrance of Pope Leo XIV ahead of his first mass. We shouldn't be long now.
The Cardinals have gathered in the Sistine Chapel...
The famous room is full and we are about to get underway...
Pope Leo XIV didn't speak English in his first address...
Although Pope Leo XIV is a native English speaker, he chose to deliver his first public address in Italian and Spanish—languages he has spoken extensively throughout his ecclesiastical life.
No official reason was offered for his choice to omit English, but given his years as a missionary in Peru and his senior roles within the Vatican, where Italian is the primary language, his linguistic choices likely reflect both his pastoral background and institutional familiarity.
By not using English in his initial appearance, he may have been signalling a strong bond with the global South and a vision of the Church that transcends national boundaries.
Obama sends his love
Former President Barack Obama sent this message out on social media last night congratulating Pope Leo XIV on his election to the top.
The two Popes!
Pope Francis, who died on 21 April 2025, appointed Robert Prevost as cardinal back in 2023.
The two were members of the Order of St Augustine, an order based on learning, peace and dialogue.
Will Leo speak in English?
It's very likely, yes.
"But when he speaks English, he'll be doing so with a Chicago accent. And that matters," Austen Ivereigh, a Catholic writer and commentator told the BBC.
According to Ivereigh, Leo's American dialect will make him more relatable to an American audience - which "means they can't dismiss him in sometimes the way they tried to with Francis".
"The assumption has always been, America being the superpower, you couldn't have a pope who's also an American," he adds. "But of course, America's role in the world has now changed."
Mass starting shortly...
The Pope's first mass should begin in around 10 minutes from now. We await to see what he says.
The Augustinian cardinal and former missionary in Peru was elected the new pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church yesterday, securing a majority vote in almost record time.
Robert Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. He was sent to Peru in 1985, where he began a transformative chapter of his life. Assigned to the mission in Chulucanas, in the Piura region, he served as parochial vicar of the cathedral and chancellor of the territorial prelature.
He led the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo and taught canon law at the diocesan seminary. His deep understanding of the region and fluency in Spanish—and other languages—allowed him to form lasting connections with local communities.
In 1999, he was elected Prior Provincial of the Augustinians in Chicago. Just two years later, he was chosen Prior General of the worldwide Augustinian Order, a role he held until 2013.
It all happened so fast...
Indeed, it was a much faster Conclave than many had predicted, with just four votes needed to choose a new Pope.
The conclave, which was the largest and most multicultural in history, was expected to last longer than usual due to the difficulty of reaching the required two-thirds majority (89 votes).
However, it lasted just under 24 hours, and the cardinals managed to agree on a new Pope: Robert Prevost.
Donald Trump's message to Leo XIV
Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!
The new Pope also holds Peruvian citizenship
The American Robert Prevost, elected this Thursday as the new Pope under the name Leo XIV, also holds Peruvian citizenship, which he obtained in 2015 after spending much of his religious life in the Andean country, according to the National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (Reniec).
“We have a record with those names, naturalized since 2015, indeed in Chiclayo. He currently has a valid national ID,” said the agency’s spokesperson, Rubí Rivas, in an interview with RPP radio.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulates Leo XIV
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday congratulated American Cardinal Robert Prevost on his election as the new Pope, expressing hope that he will continue to offer the “moral and spiritual support” that Ukraine has already received from the Vatican during the papacy of Francis I.
“Congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election to the Throne of Saint Peter and the beginning of his pontificate,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media. He also expressed Ukraine’s gratitude for “the Vatican’s consistent stance in defending international law,” its “condemnation” of Russian aggression, and its support for “the rights of innocent civilians.”
“At this decisive moment for our country, we hope the Vatican will continue its moral and spiritual support for Ukraine’s efforts to restore justice and achieve a just peace,” Zelenskyy said.
What's next on Leo's schedule?
We know that today he'll give the all-important first mass to the Cardinals before reciting the Regina Coeli prayer at St Peter's Basilica on Sunday.
On Monday, he will meet members of the media in the Vatican for the first time as pontiff.
Francesco Sforza / via REUTERS
Thousands gathered at St. Peter's Square
Tens of thousands of people erupted in a great ovation at the sight of the white smoke at 6:08 p.m. yesterday, and they cheered once again when Pope Leo XIV made his way onto the famous balcony to deliver his first address.
This morning outside the Basilica it looks a lot more like any other Friday, with tourists queueing to get into the museums while others get the last of the morning sun with an espresso before it becomes imperative to find some shade!
US government sends message to Pope Leo XIV
The United States hopes to "deepen" its longstanding relationship with the Vatican following Thursday’s election of Leo XIV, the first American Pope in the history of the Catholic Church, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
"The United States looks forward to deepening its enduring relationship with the Holy See under the first American pontiff," said Rubio, a practicing Catholic, in a statement in which he also extended his "sincerest congratulations" to the now-former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost.
"This is a moment of profound significance for the Catholic Church, offering renewed hope and continuity during the Jubilee Year of 2025 to more than a billion faithful around the world. The papacy carries a sacred and solemn responsibility," added the U.S. top diplomat.
Here's Leo yesterday afternoon with the Cardinals
The first-ever American Pope was visibly delighted to be elected head of the Church, and he gave warm messages of thanks to all of those stood before him right after he accepted the decision.
What time is the Pope's first mass?
The Pope will lead mass in the Sistine Chapel at 11:00 local time (5:00 am ET), where he'll be joined by the rest of the cardinals that elected him.
Ahead of the all-important mass, we'll be bringing you live coverage of everything that goes on inside and outside the Vatican, as well as a full recap of how things unfolded yesterday.
Welcome to the live coverage
Hello and good morning/afternoon/evening from the Vatican City where the newly elected Pope Leo XIV is set to give his first ever mass as head of the Catholic Church.
Yesterday, white smoke blew out of the famous chimney at the Vatican, signalling news that then-Cardinal Provost was elected as leader.