Pope Leo XIV has today officially begun his pontificate with a solemn Mass of Inauguration in St. Peter’s Square, during which he received the Ring of the Fisherman—also known as the Piscatory Ring—from Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization.
On Saturday, the Vatican’s Office for Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff released an image of the new ring, which has now been placed on the Pope’s finger. The ring features an engraving of St. Peter casting a net, symbolizing the Pope’s calling to be a “fisher of men” (Mark 1:17). This sacred item has been part of the symbols of the papacy since the 13th century and was historically used to seal official papal documents.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, becomes the 266th Roman Pontiff and the first American to hold the office. He holds dual citizenship in the United States and Peru. Today’s Mass has drawn an estimated 200,000 people, including high-level dignitaries such as U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
In his first papal homily, Pope Leo XIV has called for unity, peace, and compassion. He urges the Church to “walk together toward God’s love” and to remain steadfast in solidarity with the suffering, especially in war-torn regions like Ukraine.
The Holy Father has also received the pallium—a white woolen band representing his role as the chief shepherd of the universal Church. Representatives from other faith traditions have joined the celebration, reflecting Pope Leo XIV’s commitment to interreligious dialogue and peacebuilding.
With today’s inauguration, Pope Leo XIV sets the tone for a pontificate that seeks to uphold apostolic tradition while engaging the world with mercy, humility, and hope.
