The inauguration Mass of Leo XIV had a novelty compared to Pope Francis's installation Mass in 2013: Not only cardinals, but also 12 “representatives of the people of God” pledged obedience to the Successor of Peter.
This addition of the people of God was also used during the opening Mass of Benedict XVI's pontificate on April 24, 2005.
Three cardinals representing three regions of the world participated in this rite of obedience: Frank Leo, Archbishop of Toronto (Canada) for North America, Jaime Spengler, Archbishop of Porto Alegre (Brazil) for South America, and John Ribat, Archbishop of Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) for Oceania.
Bishop Luis Alberto Barrera of Callao in Peru, Father Guillerma Inca Pereda, secretary general of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, and Italian permanent deacon Teodoro Mandato represented the three orders of the clergy. The latter, a family man and employee of the Cotral transport company, was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Rome last November.
Consecrated life was represented by Father Arturo Sosa, Superior General of the Society of Jesus (Pope Francis' religious order) and President of the Union of Superiors General (USG), and by Sister Oonah O'Shea, an Australian nun of Irish origin, recently elected head of the UISG (International Union of Superiors General).
An Italian-Peruvian couple, Rafael Santa Marie and Ana María Olguín, and two young people, Josemaria Diaz and Sheyla Cruz, completed the list. The latter, of Peruvian origin, is a specialist in theology of the body, trained at the John Paul II Institute for the Family.
Pallium and ring
The imposition of the pallium and the presentation of the Fisherman's Ring also include symbolic representatives.
French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti was to impose the pallium on the pontiff, but in the last minute, Italian Cardinal Mario Zenari had to take his place, as Cardinal Mamberti got sick during the Mass.
“Today you succeed Peter in the episcopate of this Church which he brought to faith with the Apostle Paul," says the prayer at this moment in the liturgy.
Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presented Leo with the fisherman's ring. (See video below.)
The cardinals are chosen according to the order to which they belong within the College of Cardinals (bishop, priest, deacon), but also according to their geographical origin.
Cardinal Mamberti was chosen to represent Europe and the order of deacons. As “protodeacon,” the most senior member of his order, he pronounced the famous “Habemus papam” in the Loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to announce the name of the new pope on May 8.
After the imposition of the pallium, Congolese Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, representing the order of priests and the African continent, recited a prayer for the pope, asking God, in the name of the Church, to come and support him in his mission.
Finally, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for the Evangelization of Peoples, presented Leo XIV with his “fisherman's ring,” a ring representing the authority of the pope and the succession of the Apostle Peter. The Filipino cardinal, who is a member of the order of bishops, represented Asia.
