Chicago Tribune photographer Brian Cassella captures the scene ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s installation in Vatican City.
Global dignitaries and faith leaders from around the world will gather in Vatican City on Sunday as Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV presides over his inauguration Mass, which will officially mark the beginning of his ministry as the 267th pontiff.
Augustinian friars, from left, Brother David Relstab, Rev. Jack Tierney and Rev. Joe Roccasalva visit St. Peter’s Square after their arrival in Rome on May 17, 2025, before the installation of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. Relstab is a teacher at Providence Catholic in New Lenox, Tierney is a former teacher at St. Rita in Chicago and Roccasalva grew up in Beverly and attended Marian Catholic. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)People walk down Via della Conciliazione near St. Peter’s Square on May 17, 2025, before the installation of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)A photo of Pope Leo XIV is displayed on a souvenir stand next to St. Peter’s Square on May 17, 2025, before his installation Sunday at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Nuns join a procession to St. Peter’s Square as part of the Jubilee celebration, May 16, 2025, before the installation of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)People visit St. Peter’s Square on Friday, May 16, 2025, before the installation of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Souvenir shops sell more items depicting Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II before items with the new Pope Leo XIV have arrived Friday, May 16, 2025, near St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)A Mona Lisa poster on May 16, 2025, near St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)A newsstand shows covers featuring Pope Leo XIV and Pope Francis on May 16, 2025, near St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)The moon above St. Peter’s Basilica on May 16, 2025, before the installation of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Tourists line up to enter the Vatican Museums on May 16, 2025, before the installation of Pope Leo XIV. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Carabinieri officers and a priest pass through St. Peter’s Square on May 16, 2025, before the installation of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)People talk outside the Augustinian General Casio next to St. Peter’s Square ton Friday, May 16, 2025, that was once home to Robert Prevost before his installation as Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Two men recite prayers at sunrise in St. Peter’s Square on May 16, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)People visit St. Peter’s Basilica on May 15, 2025, before the installation of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)A visitor takes in St. Peter’s Square as dusk falls, May 15, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)People visit a 2019 statue called Angels Unawares depicting 140 migrants throughout history in St. Peter’s Square on May 15, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)A group carries a cross as part of the Jubilee through St. Peter’s Square on May 15, 2025, before the installation of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)A woman holds a picture of Pope Leo XIV while visiting St. Peter’s Basilica on May 15, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Priests walk by St. Peter’s Square on Thursday, May 15, 2025, before the installation of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Strollers outside St. Peter’s Basilica on May 15, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Italian Carabinieri direct tourists around St. Peter’s Square on May 15, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)People visit St. Peter’s Square on Thursday, May 15, 2025, before the installation of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)People visit St. Peter’s Basilica on May 15, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)The sun sets on St. Peter’s Basilica on May 15, 2025, before the installation of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)A man mops the sidewalk as the sun rises on St. Peter’s Basilica on May 16, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
