Leo XIV Receives Pallium and Fisherman’s Ring at Inauguration Mass

Ancient symbols of pastoral authority highlight new pope’s call to shepherd the universal Church

Cardinal Antonio Luis Tagle places the symbolic Fisherman's Ring on Pope Leo XIV during the Mass of Inauguration at the Vatican on Sunday, May 18. (Photo/Vatican News)

By Victoria Cardiel

Catholic News Agency (CNA)

The Mass for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate was celebrated on Sunday, May 18, at 10 a.m. Rome time in St. Peter’s Square.

The liturgy marked the official beginning of his ministry as successor of Peter and Bishop of Rome. On May 25, he will take canonical possession of St. John Lateran Basilica, the cathedral of the bishop of Rome.

The Mass on May 18 is governed by the “Order of Rites of the Beginning of the Petrine Ministry as Bishop of Rome,” a liturgical book approved by Benedict XVI in 2005 and reformed by him in 2013.

“The beginning of the Petrine ministry is what the celebration of the coronation of the pope used to be. Now, popes are no longer crowned with the three-tiered tiara, worn until Paul VI, but rather begin their ministry as the successor of Peter,” Father Juan José Silvestre explained to ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. Silvestre is a professor of liturgy in the theology department at the University of Navarra.

During this ceremony, Leo XIV will receive the pallium and the fisherman’s ring, two elements with profound theological and pastoral significance that mark the start of his pontificate.

The beginning of a pope’s reign also includes taking canonical possession of three papal basilicas: St. John Lateran (the cathedral of Rome), St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls. On Tuesday, May 20, Pope Leo XIV will take possession of St. Paul Outside the Walls, and on Sunday, May 25, Pope Leo XIV will take possession of both the basilicas of St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major.

Taking possession of St. John Lateran Basilica has a distinctive character. “It is a reminder that the pope is the bishop of Rome,” Silvestre noted.

“Just as a bishop, once appointed, has a period of two months to take possession of his cathedral, his seat, so the pope, as bishop, will also be received by the cathedral and once seated in his cathedra (bishop’s throne or chair) in St. John Lateran of the Diocese of Rome, he will receive the expression of obedience from a representative group from the Diocese of Rome,” he noted.

According to the May 18 Mass program, the liturgy for the inauguration of the pontificate begins inside St. Peter’s Basilica, before the Altar of Confession. “Pope Leo XIV went before the tomb of the Apostle Peter to pray there in silence, moments before the solemn Mass for the initiation of his Petrine ministry as bishop of Rome,” Silvestre explained.

The patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic Churches in communion with Rome will also participate in this moment of recollection and prayer. Following this, the liturgical procession to St. Peter’s Square will begin from within the basilica, proceeding to the outdoor altar where Mass will be celebrated.

During the procession, the “Laudes Regiae” (“Royal Praises”), a solemn litany of the saints appropriate for this occasion, is intoned. “It is a particular form of the Litany of the Saints in which the intercession of the saints is sought to pray for the holiness of the pope,” Silvestre said.

The fisherman's Ring, depicting St. Peter in his fishing boat. (Photo/Vatican News)

Also sung for the kings of France and the sovereigns of England until the Reformation, the “Laudes Regiae” evoke a central theological truth: All earthly power comes from God and must be exercised with humility and responsibility.

One of the central moments of the rite is the presentation of the signs of the Petrine ministry, “the two elements that mark the beginning of the pontificate. Previously, the tiara was placed on the pope, but now the important elements are the papal pallium and the fisherman’s ring,” Silvestre explained.

Both elements have profound theological and pastoral significance. “The pallium, which is a kind of stole or scarf, is made of sheep’s wool and represents the pope as a shepherd who carries the flock, that is, the Church, on his shoulders,” Silvestre said.

The fisherman’s ring features an image of St. Peter in his boat, and the pope's name is engraved on the inside. This ring also serves a practical function, as it is used to seal documents.  Until the inaugural Mass, the pontiff wears his episcopal ring.

After the rite of presentation of the ring and pallium, the College of Cardinals will make an act of fidelity to the new pope.

“A delegation of cardinals — on behalf of the entire college — approach the Holy Father and express their reverence, obedience, and ecclesial communion,” Silvestre said.

Another feature of this Mass is the proclamation of the Gospel in both Greek and Latin, as the “successor of Peter” is the pope for both Eastern Catholics and Latin Catholics.

The Mass for the inauguration of a new pope has a universal character, as it emphasizes the Holy Father as the pastor of the universal Church. Pope Leo XIV’s homily on May 18 reflected this universal mission, calling for peace around the world, especially in areas where war is ongoing.

In addition to thousands of faithful, heads of state and diplomatic representatives from various countries were in attendance. “The Holy See has diplomatic relations with more than 180 countries,” Silvestre noted.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.