Pope Leo XIV officially in office: Royals and diplomats celebrate in Rome!

Pope Leo XIV officially in office: Royals and diplomats celebrate in Rome!

Petersplatz, 00120 Rom, Italien - On May 18, 2025, Pope Leo XIV took office on St. Peter's Square in Rome, just three weeks after his predecessor was buried. The event attracted an immense crowd in which around 200,000 believers celebrated the fair. The mood was characterized by great anticipation and respect for the new pontificate.

Numerous royals and heads of state from all over the world traveled to the celebrations. King Felipe VI were among those present. and Queen Letizia of Spain as well as King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. King Charles III remained in a remarkable contrast. and Queen Camilla of the ceremony away. The British royal family was instead represented by Prince Edward.

delegations and prominent guests

In particular, the presence of international government delegations was outstanding. The largest delegation came from Italy under the direction of President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The United States was also represented, with Vice President James D. Vance and Foreign Minister Marco Antonio Rubio with their spouses, while US President Donald Trump was not present. Chancellor Friedrich Merz traveled from Germany, accompanied by other German delegates.

The delegation from Austria consisted of important political personalities, including Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker and National Council President Walter Rosenkranz. The Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter was also present during the inauguration. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Parliamentary President Roberta Metsola with her husbands on site.

religious leaders from various faiths were also present. This concluded the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople, Patriarch Bartholomaios, and representatives of the Moscow patriarchy. Jewish representatives such as Rabbi Abraham Skorka from Argentina and other leading rabbi also took part. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and other religious communities were also represented and showed the diversity of the religious landscape that celebrated the new Pope.

absences and special aspects

Although many royals were present, the absence of further well -known faces is noticed. Sweden's King Carl XVI. Gustaf and Queen Silvia as well as Denmark's King Frederik X. and Queen Mary were not invited. Instead, Sweden's crown princess Victoria traveled alone when her husband, Prince Daniel, was not planned. Norway's Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit also stayed away from the ceremony, possibly due to the Norwegian national holiday, which will be celebrated on May 17th.

The inauguration of Pope Leo XIV is not only a new beginning for the Catholic Church, but also a moment of global unity. With the presence of around 150 official delegations and believers from all over the world, the event symbolized the hope and belief in a new era in the papacy.

For more information about the inauguration and the delegations present, see the reporting of Merkur and Vatican News .