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VATICAN CITY // The Vatican has released the official liturgical schedule for Pope Leo XIV’s first month as pontiff, marking a historic period of inaugural ceremonies, traditional basilica installations, and the first priestly ordinations of his papacy.
The calendar, announced by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, outlines a series of significant events for May 2025 as the newly elected pope begins his ministry.
May 18: Inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square
Pope Leo XIV will be formally installed as Bishop of Rome with a Eucharistic Celebration in St. Peter’s Square at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 18, the Fifth Sunday of Easter. This Mass marks the official beginning of his Petrine Ministry and will include the conferral of the Fisherman’s Ring and the pallium, traditional symbols of papal authority.
May 20: Visit to St. Paul Outside the Walls
At 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, Pope Leo will visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where he will pray at the tomb of the Apostle Paul. This “taking possession” of one of Rome’s four papal basilicas is a customary act for new popes.
May 25: Installation at the Lateran and Marian devotion
The Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 25, will see Pope Leo preside over two major events. At 5 p.m., he will celebrate the Eucharist and be installed on the cathedra — the bishop’s chair — at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the official cathedral of the Bishop of Rome.
Later, at 7 p.m., he will visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to venerate the revered icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Salus Populi Romani, next to which Pope Francis is interred.
May 31: First priestly ordinations
The month concludes on the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, May 31, with a Holy Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica, during which Pope Leo XIV will ordain new priests for the first time as pontiff.
