Leo officially opened his pontificate by taking his first popemobile tour through the piazza, a rite of passage that has become synonymous with the papacy’s global reach and mediatic draw. The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary smiled and waved from the back of the truck, but didn’t appear to stop to kiss babies and the crowd.
Updated:
Published:
Image 0 of 78
Pope Leo XIV on his popemobile tours St. Peter's Square at the Vatican prior to the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
Pope Leo XIV caresses a baby on his popemobile as he tours St. Peter's Square at the Vatican prior to the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
Pope Leo XIV on his popemobile tours St. Peter's Square at the Vatican prior to the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
Pope Leo XIV celebrates a Mass for the formal inauguration of his pontificate, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
Vatican Master of Liturgical Celebrations Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, right, assisted by Msgr. Yala Bonorani Djetaba, left, helps Pope Leo XIV wear the Pallium wollen stole, a symbol of his pontificate, he just received from Cardinal Deputy Protodeacon Mario Zenari, second from left, during the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
Pope Leo XIV on his popemobile tours St. Peter's Square at the Vatican prior to the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) (Bernat Armangue/AP)
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) (Bernat Armangue/AP)
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)
ope Leo XIV appears on the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica after being chosen the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)
Faithful react as the newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) (Emilio Morenatti/AP)
Pope Leo XIV appears on the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica after being chosen the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (Markus Schreiber/AP)
Pope Leo XIV appears on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica after his election, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) (Gregorio Borgia/AP)
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV leaves after appearing on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) (Andrew Medichini/AP)
Pope Leo XIV appears on the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica after being chosen the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)
Swiss Guards march after a new Pope was elected when 133 cardinals gathered on the second day of the conclave to select a successor to the late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (Markus Schreiber/AP)
People react as the newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) (Emilio Morenatti/AP)
Poeple watch newly elected Pope Leo XIV as he appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (Markus Schreiber/AP)
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) (Andrew Medichini/AP)
People watch the newly elected Pope Leo XIV as he appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) (Bernat Armangue/AP)
St. Peter¥s Square where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave to elect successor of late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) (Bernat Armangue/AP)
Newly elected Pope Leone XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Leo XIV appears on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica after his election, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Newly elected Pope Leone XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announces the election of Cardinal Robert F. Prevost as the 267th pope, choosing the name of Pope Leone XIV, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Cardinals following the election of Cardinal Robert F. Prevost as the 267th pope, choosing the name of Pope Leone XIV, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025(AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Swiss Guards march after a new Pope was elected when 133 cardinals gathered on the second day of the conclave to select a successor to the late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
People react as white smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
White smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
White smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
White smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
A nun prays at St. Peter's Basilica waiting for smoke to billow from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
White smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
A view of St. Peter's Square during the conclave to elect a successor of late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Black smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
People at St. Peter's square wait to see smoke pour from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Black smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Faithful take photos the black smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel during the conclave to elect a new Pope, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Black smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, where 133 cardinals are gathering on the first day of the conclave, indicating that a successor of late Pope Francis was not elected, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
People at St. Peter's square wait to see smoke pour from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Nuns arrive at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican where 133 cardinals gather on the second day of the conclave to elect successor of late Pope Francis, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
People at St. Peter's square wait to see smoke pour from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
People wait for the smoke billowing from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, where 133 cardinals are gathering on the first day of the conclave, indicating that a successor of late Pope Francis was elected or not, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
People react in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican after black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, where 133 cardinals are gathering on the first day of the conclave, indicating that a successor of late Pope Francis was not elected, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Nuns applaud as black smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the cardinals' conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Black smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
A drone flies as black smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
People gather in St Peter's Square as they wait to see the smoke billow from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in St Peter's Square during the cardinals' conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
View to the facade of the St Peter's Basilica with the main balcony in center, prior to the beginning of the conclave, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
A giant screen in St Peter's Square shows a seagull near the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the cardinals' conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
A seagull flies near the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the cardinals' conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Priests standing on a terrace look at St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
View of the main balcony of the St Peter's Basilica prior to the beginning of the conclave, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Faithful wait in St. Peter's Square as Cardinals are gathered in the Sistine Chapel for the Conclave at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
A giant screen in St Peter's Basilica shows a Vatican official closing the door to the Sistine Chapel after calling out "extra omnes", Latin for "all out", during the cardinals' conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
People wait to see the smoke billowing from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in St Peter's Square during the cardinals' conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Pilgrims arrive during the cardinals' conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Cardinals, with white mitre hats, attend a final Mass inside St. Peter's Basilica, before the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Pink smoke rises in front of St. Peter's Dome during a protest by the Women's Ordination Conference, calling for full equality for women in the Catholic Church on the first day of the conclave to elect the 267th pope, in Rome, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Children dressed up in flamenco style outfits walk near the Vatican, in Rome, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, on the day cardinals sequester themselves at the Vatican for the start of a conclave to elect the 267th Roman pontiff, a successor to Pope Francis. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
A seagull sits on the roof by the chimney of the Sistine Chapel ahead of the conclave, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Cardinals adjust their mitre hats during a final Mass celebrated by cardinals inside St. Peter's Basilica before the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi walks in St. Peter's Square for the start of the conclave, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Faithful watch a giant screen showing images of cardinals entering the conclave, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re celebrates a final Mass with cardinals inside St. Peter's Basilica, before the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Cardinals adjust their mitre hats during a final Mass celebrated by cardinals inside St. Peter's Basilica before the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Cardinals, in red beretta hats, attend a final Mass celebrated by cardinals inside St. Peter's Basilica, before the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, center, greets Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo during a final Mass celebrated by cardinals inside St. Peter's Basilica, before the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Faithful capture images with their smartphones of cardinals arriving during a final Mass inside St. Peter's Basilica before the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
A nun shelters from the rain as she follows a final Mass celebrated by cardinals inside St. Peter's Basilica before the conclave to elect a new pope, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chávez walks before the conclave to elect a new pope, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Faithful kneel during a final Mass celebrated by cardinals inside St. Peter's Basilica, before the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
A faithful prays in St. Peter's Square during a final Mass by cardinals ahead of the conclave, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Faithful capture images with their smartphones of cardinals during a final Mass inside St. Peter's Basilica before the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
A view of the Sistine Chapel where cardinals gather to elect the new pope, at the Vatican, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP)
