Pope Leo XIV made a heartwarming gesture as he took his first ride in the popemobile at the inaugural mass this morning.

On May 8, the late Pope Francis’ successor was officially announced, with the role of head of the Catholic Church going to 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost – whose papal name is Pope Leo XIV.

Following Pope Leo’s election as the new Pontiff, an inauguration mass is held in St Peter’s Square, in the Vatican city.

As Pope Leo arrived at the mass today (Sunday, 18 May), he could be seen riding through crowds waving at those who had gathered for the momentous occasion.

And in one sweet moment, the Pope could be seen making a heartwarming gesture to two families in the crowd.

Two babies were held up by their parents and passed to members of Pope Leo’s security team, who handed them over to the Pontiff.

The Pope then blessed each baby, before they were quickly handed back to their families.

The parents could be seen waving to Pope Leo and cheering as he continued in the popemobile, prior to the mass beginning.

Religious figures and world leaders will gather today to welcome Pope Leo, with President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen present as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and US Vice President JD Vance.

Following the inaugural mass, Pope Leo is expected to reside in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.

The palace overlooks St Peter’s Square and features a number of papal apartments on the top floor.

Pope Leo could be seen greeting crowds in St Peter’s Square this morning (David Ramos/Getty Images)
Pope Leo could be seen greeting crowds in St Peter’s Square this morning (David Ramos/Getty Images)

Pope Leo is fairly young for a pope at the age of 69 and, being born near Dolton, Illinois in Chicago, stands as the first American in history to take the role, which President Donald Trump has celebrated as ‘such an honor.’

However, he spent much of his life in Peru throughout the 1980s and 1990s after he became ordained in 1982, reports Newsweek.

Pope Leo received a doctorate in canon law in Rome at the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas, and from Peru became a naturalized citizen, working in clerical roles ranging from parish priest, diocesan official, seminary teacher and administrator.

Noted for his bilingual talents in both Spanish and Italian, he later became Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru between 2015 to 2023 and finally a cardinal.

A close ally to Pope Francis, the former pontiff also gave Leo two appointments in the Vatican, to be the apostolic administrator of the diocese of Callao, Peru, in 2020 followed by a Prefect within the powerful Vatican office, the Dicastery for Bishops, in 2023 that is in charge of episcopal appointments across the world.

Pope Leo’s inaugural mass is being held on Sunday, May 18 (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)
Pope Leo’s inaugural mass is being held on Sunday, May 18 (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

What happens at the Pope’s inauguration?
Cardinals in white liturgical robes will greet the Altar of the Confession in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Leo will go up to the altar and kiss it before a deacon takes the Book of the Gospels.
The newly-elected pontiff will go to St. Peter’s tomb for a moment of prayer.
The pallium and the fisherman’s ring are taken from the reliquary by the cardinal protodeacon.
A procession will then take place to the courtyard of St. Peter’s Square lead by cardinals and followed by Pope Leo.
The pallium, ring and Book of the Gospels are placed on the altar before the pope bows towards the pulpit and starts the celebration.
After readings of celebration, the cardinal will give the pallium and ring to the pontiff alongside the vice dean and the secretary of state.
Pope Leo will bless the Book of Gospels and will receive the pallium on his shoulders before the cardinal places the fisherman’s ring on the ring finger of the pope’s left hand.