On May 21, Pope Leo held his first general audience, a regular weekly gathering he is expected to hold for the rest of his papacy. Following several busy weeks that included the funeral for Pope Francis, the conclave and new pontiff’s installation, things were returning to normal after Wednesday’s audience. But the square — which serves as the spiritual heartbeat for 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide — is never quiet.
Pope Leo XIV blesses the crowd with holy water during his installation Mass in St. Peter’s Square on May 18, 2025, at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Two people hold an American flag while Pope Leo XIV holds his first general audience on May 21, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Augustinian friars Brother David Relstab, from left, the Rev. Jack Tierney and the Rev. Joe Roccasalva visit St. Peter’s Square 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)St. Peter’s Basilica glows as the sun sets on the Tiber River on May 16, 2025, before the installation of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)People pray while Pope Leo XIV holds his first general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on May 21, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Two men recite prayers at sunrise in St. Peter’s Square on May 16, 2025, days 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, days before the installation of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)People listen while Pope Leo XIV holds his first general audience on May 21, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Members of the clergy pray as Pope Leo XIV is installed during Mass in St. Peter’s Square on May 18, 2025, at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)People hold objects to be blessed as Pope Leo XIV holds his first general audience on May 21, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd as he arrives for his installation Mass in St. Peter’s Square on May 18, 2025, at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Children cheer after Pope Leo XIV held his first general audience on May 21, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby while holding his first general audience on May 21, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Security officers arrive before dawn in St. Peter’s Square s Pope Leo XIV is installed during Mass on May 18, 2025, at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Louis Prevost, the eldest brother of Pope Leo XIV, stands with second lady Usha Vance and Vice President J.D. Vance during the installation Mass in St. Peter’s Square on May 18, 2025, at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Cardinal Blase Cupich, third from left, arrives with the other cardinals as Pope Leo XIV is installed during Mass in St. Peter’s Square on May 18, 2025, at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Nuns pick up newspapers featuring Pope Leo XIV after his installation Mass in St. Peter’s Square on May 18, 2025, 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, before the installation at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
