PHOTOS: Tinubu present as Pope Leo XIV is inaugurated as pontiff

Pope Leo XIV has been inaugurated as pontiff, at a special mass in St Peter’s Square, marking the beginning of his papacy.

Thousands stood at the square as the pope received the symbols of office and blessed the faithful. Among the dignitaries was President Bola Tinubu. 

Leo was elected as the new leader of the Catholic Church on May 8, following the death of Pope Francis, his predecessor.

During mass on Sunday, Pope Leo expressed concerns over the war in Ukraine, saying “the martyred Ukraine is waiting for negotiations for a just and lasting peace to finally happen”.

He warned against the marginalisation of the poor and autocracy.

He also criticised “hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the earth’s resources and marginalises the poorest”.

He said he would seek to govern “without ever yielding to the temptation to be an autocrat”.

Leo is the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church and the first pontiff from the United States.