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'I am Roman!'/ Pope Leo XIV completes formalities to become bishop of Rome

2025-05-25 18:35:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

'I am Roman!'/ Pope Leo XIV completes formalities to become bishop of

Pope Leo XIV declared himself Roman on Sunday, completing the final ceremonial steps that formalized his role as bishop of Rome. The first American pope is officially taking possession of two papal basilicas in the Eternal City, a formality that serves to ceremonially introduce Pope Leo to his Roman headquarters.

One of the many titles Pope Leo took on when he was elected on May 8 was bishop of Rome. Given his responsibilities in leading the universal Catholic Church of 1.4 billion people, popes delegate the day-to-day governance of the diocese of Rome to a vicar.

Sunday's ceremonies at the Basilica of St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major follow Leo's visit last week to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Along with St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, the four papal basilicas are the most important basilicas in the West.

'I am Roman!'/ Pope Leo XIV completes formalities to become bishop of

Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri welcomed Pope Leo I on the steps of the city hall, noting that his election on May 8 fell during a Holy Year, an event that occurs every 25 years to invite pilgrims to Rome. The city underwent two years of traffic-clogging public works projects to prepare and expects to welcome over 30 million people in 2025.

Pope Leo said he felt a serious responsibility to serve all Romans during the Holy Year and beyond.

Dressed in his official papal robes, Pope Leo recalled the words he had spoken from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica on the night of his election. The Augustinian pope quoted St. Augustine as saying: "With you I am a Christian and for you, a bishop."

"With a special title, today I can say that for you and with you I am Roman!" said the Pope.

Pope Leo, 69, took office after the resignation of Pope Francis. /CNA





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