Pope Leo celebrates Mass at tomb of St Peter before first Sunday blessing

The Vatican said the Pope was joined by the head of his Augustinian order, the Rev Alejandro Moral Anton

Sun, 11 May, 2025 - 11:17

Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

Pope Leo XIV celebrated a private Mass on Sunday near the tomb of St Peter, before he was to deliver his first Sunday noon blessing from St Peter’s Basilica.

The Vatican said the Pope was joined by the head of his Augustinian order, the Rev Alejandro Moral Anton. The Mass occurred in the grottoes underneath St Peter’s, the traditional burial place of St Peter – the apostle who is considered the be the first pope.

The area, which is normally open to the public, also contains the tombs of past popes, including Benedict XVI.

Huge crowds have gathered to St Peter’s Square to see Pope Leo’s first Sunday blessing (Domenico Stinellis/AP)

Hours before Leo was to appear to the public, St Peter’s Square was filing up with pilgrims, well-wishers and the curious, joined by multiple marching bands that made grand entrances into the square.

Leo on Saturday prayed before the tomb of Pope Francis, located at the St Mary Major Basilica.

The 69-year-old Chicago-born missionary was elected the 267th Pope on Thursday, the first American pontiff. He appeared to the world from the same loggia at St Peter’s Basilica, offering a message of peace and unity.