Pope Leo XIV, newly elected as the head of the Catholic Church, is set to celebrate his first major Mass on Friday at the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican has announced.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed that the Pope will also lead the traditional midday prayer from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday.
The former Chicago Cardinal, Robert Francis Prevost, was elected Pope on Thursday following four rounds of voting during a 24-hour conclave held in the Sistine Chapel.
Pope Leo XIV is the first pontiff from the United States in the history of the Catholic Church.
Before his election, he served as a curial cardinal in the Vatican, leading the influential department responsible for the appointment of bishops worldwide.
