VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV will formally take up his role as leader of the global Catholic Church on Sunday (May 18), with a Mass in St. Peter's Square that will draw tens of thousands of well-wishers, including dozens of world leaders and European royalty.
Crowds are expected to cram the Square and surrounding streets in Rome for the formal celebration, which starts at 10am (0800 GMT) and includes the first ride in the white popemobile by Leo, the first pope from the United States.
