Pope Leo XIV Formally Inaugurated
..Tinubu, Bishop Kukah Attend
By Yadnom Awu/ Asaba
Before a galactic ensemble of religious and political leaders drawn from across the globe, the Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, was today inaugurated into office to begin his pontificate.
Aged 69 years, Pope Leo is the first American to head the 1.4 billion strong Church and he was elected at a recent Conclave following the death on Easter Monday of Pope Francis, at age 88 years.
As part of today’s Papal inauguration, Leo was handed the Pallium and the Fisherman’s Ring, both of which are core exclusive items to the Pope, as his signet.
He equally received the Book of the Gospels of the Apostles, which he held up for veneration.
The Pallium and the Fisherman’s Ring were handed over to Leo by Cardinal Dominic after they were taken from the catacomb of Apostle Peter, who was also called The Rock and apostle of Jesus.
The Pallium is made of white wool and is worn by the Pope across his shoulders, depicting him as the Good Shepherd in charge of the flock of God.
Catholics hold Peter as the first Pope of the Church.
The inaugural Mass- as Catholics call their regular services and it worship sessions- was conducted principally in Latin, Greek and Spanish.
The formal inauguration attracted not just religious and political leaders from across the world but also tens of thousands of mainly Catholic faithful who thronged St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Bishop Matthew Kukah were among the Nigerian dignitaries at the historic event
