ROME. In a ceremony marking the formal beginning of his pastoral mission in the Eternal City, Pope Leo XIV declared “I am Roman!” on Sunday as he completed the rites to become the bishop of Rome, one of the many titles he assumed following his May 8 election as pope.
The first American pontiff presided over an evening Mass at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the official cathedral of Rome and seat of its diocese. The liturgy was attended by Roman clergy and faithful, signifying the new pope’s formal assumption of leadership over the diocese.
In his homily, Pope Leo XIV emphasized a collaborative and listening approach to his ministry:
“I want to listen to you in order to learn, understand, and decide things together.”
While popes are responsible for the 1.4-billion-member Roman Catholic Church, they traditionally appoint a vicar general to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the Diocese of Rome.
Sunday’s event follows Pope Leo’s recent visit to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, which included a stop at St. Mary Major. St. Mary Major is part of the four major papal basilicas in Rome, which also includes St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Earlier in the day, Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri welcomed Pope Leo XIV at the steps of City Hall. He noted the significance of the pontiff’s election during a Holy Year, a special jubilee celebrated every 25 years that draws millions of pilgrims to the city. Rome has undergone major infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the expected 30 million visitors in 2025.
During his remarks, Pope Leo XIV expressed deep commitment to the city and its people:
“I feel the serious but passionate responsibility to serve all Romans during the Holy Year and beyond.”
Wearing his red papal cape and brocaded stole, the Augustinian pope recalled the words he spoke on the night of his election from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, quoting St. Augustine:
“With you I am Christian, and for you, bishop.”
The ceremony marked not only a formality but a heartfelt beginning to Pope Leo XIV’s pastoral role in the heart of Catholicism.
Edgaroo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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