Today at the Vatican, powerful royal and political figures—as well as over 200,000 spectators—gathered at St. Peter’s Square in front of St. Peter’s Basilica, for the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV. Following the death of Pope Francis in April, Pope Leo XIV was elected as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church earlier this month, following a two-day conclave that concluded on May 8. (Notably, Leo XIV—whose full name is Robert Francis Prevost—is now the first American pope in the Vatican’s history. He was born in Chicago, and is now the 267th pope in the church’s history.)
A crowd of influential world leaders all gathered for Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass today, which began at 10 a.m. local time and lasted around two hours. In attendance for the ceremony were King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, Queen Mathilde and King Philippe of Belgium, U.S. vice president JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance, U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska, Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, European commission president Ursula von der Leyen, and Britain s Prince Edward, to name a few. All wore thoughtful fashion looks rooted in history and tradition.
Many of the figures in attendance made subtle nods to Catholic garments with their fashion choices. JD and Usha Vance both wore black for the ceremony—JD in a dressy black suit, and Usha in a black dress with the customary lace headscarf. (In many Catholic traditions, women wear a veil of lace as a sign of humility and respect during special masses.) Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska also chose head-to-toe black looks, a choice seemingly made as to not draw any attention away from the mass. (It is also customary to wear black in front of the pope.)
Meanwhile, Princess Charlene of Monaco (who wore Elie Saab), Queen Letizia of Spain, and Queen Mathilde of Belgium all wore white ensembles for the mass—a privilege reserved exclusively for Catholic queens and princesses; there are only seven women in the world currently given “the privilege of the white” while meeting the Pope.
Below, see more photos from Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass.
