The Vatican said some 200,000 people attended the Mass at St. Peter’s Square, which marked the start of the pontificate of the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church. Vice President JD Vance was among the dignitaries.

An open-topped popemobile carrying Pope Leo XIV drove through St Peter's Square at the Vatican on Sunday morning, ahead of his inaugural mass.

As Pope Leo XIV is formally inaugurated, he vows to work for unity so the church becomes a sign of peace in the world, with leaders including Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in attendance.