Gilani attends Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass

ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani attended the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, on Sunday. The ceremony marked the formal commencement of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy and was witnessed by an estimated 250,000 attendees, including numerous global leaders and dignitaries, says a message received from the Senate Secretariat.

Chairman Gilani’s presence affirms Pakistan’s commitment to interfaith harmony and its respect for the Catholic community worldwide. His participation highlighted Pakistan’s dedication to fostering dialogue and mutual understanding among diverse religious traditions.

The inaugural Mass was attended by a distinguished assembly of international figures, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. European royalty, such as King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, were also present.

Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago and holding dual U.S.-Peruvian citizenship, is the first pontiff from either nation. In his homily, he emphasised themes of peace, compassion, and unity, reflecting his commitment to addressing global challenges through dialogue and cooperation.