Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. (Photo: Vatican News)

The ceremony will last about 2 to 3 hours. The Vatican is now preparing for the event with care and tight security. More than 200 representatives from governments around the world and various religious leaders will attend this inauguration mass. As of now, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, former Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, Prince Edward of the United Kingdom, US Vice President J.D. Vance, President of Argentina Javier Milei, and President of Israel Isaac Herzog have all confirmed their attendance.

With up to 250,000 people and many world leaders expected to attend, security is a major concern. There will be over 5,000 members of the police force involved which will see a suitable number of specialized personnel for escorts and public order, as well as snipers, divers, air cover from the Air Force and anti-drone activities.

The ceremony will start with Pope Leo XIV honoring the tomb of St. Peter, the first Pope, under St. Peter’s Basilica. After that, he will walk in a procession with the College of Cardinals from the Basilica to St. Peter’s Square.

The Pope’s coat of arms includes the traditional papal symbols of the crossed keys of St. Peter and episcopal mitre. During the papal coronation ceremony, 12 individuals representing the 12 apostles will take a step forward to publicly show their allegiance to the new Pope.

Many are eager to hear Pope Leo XIV’s homily at the Mass, which will outline his main goals as Pope. In his first speech on May 8, he called for an end to war. Analysts believe his message of peace will be a key theme in the May 18 inauguration homily.