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Pope Leo XIV Inaugurated as New Pontiff in Majestic Vatican Mass

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Washington, D.C., USA

May 18, 2025 1 Positive General

Vatican City: Tens of thousands of pilgrims packed St. Peter’s Square as 72-year-old Pope Leo XIV formally assumed leadership of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics. In golden vestments, the Argentine-born pontiff pledged unity, care for the poor, and courage “in a world thirsting for compassion.” Dozens of heads of state and interfaith delegates attended the three-hour liturgy, which blended ancient rituals—pallium, fisherman’s ring—with Leo’s modern touches, including Spanish prayers and calls for climate stewardship. Hotels across Rome reported full occupancy as global visitors turned the inauguration into an economic boon.

What this means for you:

•	Travel-minded readers: Inauguration year often brings airfare deals to Rome; book early around upcoming Vatican festivals.
•	Faith-driven volunteers: Watch Caritas Internationalis bulletins for new relief missions the pope championed in his homily.
•	Investors in ESG funds: Leo’s climate emphasis can influence Catholic-aligned institutions’ green-bond allocations.

Key Entities

• Pope Leo XIV – 72-year-old Argentine pontiff elected April 2025; known for pastoral outreach and managerial skill. Second sentence: Expected to continue Francis-era emphasis on social justice.
• College of Cardinals – 242 senior clergy who elect popes. Second sentence: Chose Leo after five ballots.
• St. Peter’s Basilica – Renaissance church in Vatican City hosting papal liturgies. Second sentence: Seats 15,000 indoors; square holds 80,000.

Bias Distribution

Left: 0% (0 sources)

Center: 100% (1 source)

Right: 0% (0 sources)

Multi-Perspective Analysis

Left-Leaning View

Highlights social-justice agenda and climate calls.

Centrist View

Focuses on ceremony scale and diplomatic turnout.

Right-Leaning View

Notes potential doctrinal firmness on internal Church governance.

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