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Pope Leo XIV to be inaugurated May 18

The Holy See said the new pope is set to keep Mr Francis’s top employees in the Vatican in place for the time being.

• May 9, 2025
Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV

The Vatican on Friday announced that Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration will take place on May 18 with a mass in St. Peter’s Square, following his election to succeed Pope Francis.

The ceremony will take place at 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT) at the Vatican.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was announced as the first U.S. pontiff on Thursday after white smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel following four rounds of voting in the papal conclave.

The Holy See said the new pope is set to keep Mr Francis’s top employees in the Vatican in place for the time being.

The first of his weekly general audiences is planned for May 21.

(dpa/NAN)

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