MWE Correspondent
Tens of thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday to witness a momentous occasion as Pope Leo XIV, the first-ever American pope, took his inaugural ride in the popemobile following his formal installation ceremony.
The newly installed pontiff, of Peruvian-American heritage, greeted the crowd from the back of an open-topped white vehicle as it slowly made its way through the iconic square and down the Via della Conciliazione.
The joyous crowd waved Peruvian, American, and Vatican flags, while chants of “Viva il Papa” echoed across the square, mingling with the sound of the St. Peter’s Basilica bells.
The event brought together an extraordinary gathering of dignitaries, including presidents, princes, patriarchs, and pilgrims from around the world, as ancient Catholic rituals intertwined with a modern-day celebration of global unity and spiritual leadership.
Also Read:Russia Drafting Ceasefire Demands, Says U.S. Senator Rubio
Leo XIV’s popemobile debut follows in a long-standing tradition that symbolizes the pope’s closeness to the people.
The vehicle has become a central image of the papacy’s media presence and pastoral outreach, used in both domestic and international events.
It was in the same square that Pope Francis made his final popemobile appearance during Easter Sunday celebrations, shortly before his passing.
His funeral procession last month also featured the popemobile, carrying his casket across Rome to its final resting place.
Pope Leo XIV’s warm interaction with the crowd and his visible energy throughout the tour signal a papacy that aims to be inclusive, global, and deeply connected to the people — a fresh chapter in the life of the Catholic Church, marked by cultural diversity and spiritual renewal.
