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Inauguration Mass for Pope Leo XIV; Pope Leo XIV Celebrates his Inaugural Mass; 150 Plus Killed in Israel's New Offensive; Trump to Speak to Putin by Phone. Aired 4-5a ET

Aired May 18, 2025 - 04:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[04:00:00]

KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR: The inaugural mass for Pope Leo XIV is set to get underway. Soon in St. Peter's Square. The ceremony will formally install the first American pope as leader of the Catholic Church. Tens of thousands of Catholic faithful and wall wishers have packed into Vatican City and spilled out into the streets of Rome. European royalty and world leaders are also attending, including the U.S. vice president and secretary of state.

All right. As we watch these live pictures here, I want to bring in now from Rome, CNN Vatican Correspondent Christopher Lamb and Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, editor of our Sunday Visitor Magazine. Thank you so much both for joining me here.

So, as we watch these pictures in anticipation of this huge moment, I want to get back to them in a minute, but we just want to take in this moment here as we watch. Let's listen in.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

All right. I want to bring in Christopher Lamb now. As we're watching these live pictures here, walk us through what exactly is taking place right now.

CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, look, the beginning of this liturgy starts at the tomb of St. Peter. And so, we're about to see Pope Leo go down to the tomb to pray, to incense the tomb there and he will do that joined by leaders of the Eastern Catholic churches and also we believe some representatives of the Eastern Orthodox.

So, this is a powerful moment where Pope Leo will be linking his ministry to that of the first pope who Catholics hold us the first Pope St. Peter. And then he will process out to the Square. Now, we're also going to see the symbols of his office, the ring which he will wear, The Fisherman's Ring, and the Pallium, which is, again, a symbol of his ministry and his service.

So, right now, the choir is singing the opening Antifon Tues (ph) Petras, You are Peter, which, of course, is found in the, in this New Testament, those words that Jesus says to Peter, you are Peter, and on this rock I'll build my church. They've been singing that. And as I say, we're starting at the tomb of St. Peter to begin this inauguration mass.

BRUNHUBER: As we're watching here, it's a solemn moment and a moment of introspection. But for so many people who are waiting outside, they've been waiting for this moment. Take us through the anticipation and the mood out there in the crowd as they've been watching this unfold.

LAMB: Well, we've seen thousands of people streaming into St. Peter's Square all morning. And the crowd were really excited and really overjoyed when they saw Pope Leo for the first time on the Popemobile. He came out to the Square to greet, people, waving, giving the thumbs up. That was a moment of excitement, I would say, here in the Square.

[04:05:00]

And of course, they're gathered in their thousands, people to witness this moment, to see history take place as the first American pope is inaugurated Pope Leo XIV. So, there is a real sense of, I would say joy, excitement for this moment.

BRUNHUBER: I want to go to Father Patrick now, as you've been watching along as well, just your thoughts as you're seeing this very solemn moment taking place now. What are your thoughts as you're watching along here?

FATHER PATRICK MARY BRISCOE, EDITOR, OUR SUNDAY VISITOR: Well, we've been talking about the marvelous symbols of office, but one of the beautiful things that we're seeing here is the great unity of the church. The representatives that are joining the pope now, the heads of the Eastern churches. Symbolize the expanse of the Catholic church, the whole Catholic church, united globally, here at the tomb of Peter.

Now, the Pallium that Pope Leo will receive will be placed there on the tomb. And that's true, in fact, for every archbishop. Every archbishop receives a Pallium that's placed there at the tomb. So, it's a great sign of the connection among the bishops. There's one other beautiful detail about the Pallium, which is that it includes three pins, and the three pins are symbols of the nails that were used to crucify Jesus.

And it shows us again that the office of pope is both shepherd. The Pallium is made of wool. But also, it's a sacrificial office that the pope has to be conformed to Christ. He has to lay down his life as it were, just as Christ did in service to the church.

BRUNHUBER: We're seeing a split screen there of the Pallium. And there's significance in the colors as well of the Pallium. Take me through the significance there.

BRISCOE: Absolutely. Well, the Pallium is a kind of cream or a white color, just again, it's made out of wool. And so, it's to point us to the wool of the sheep. And the pope wears it over his shoulders, just as a shepherd would take a little sheep and carry it on his shoulders.

Now, what we'll be curious to see the Pallium of Pope Leo I believe will have black crosses, which was a change that was made by Pope Francis. A kind of simplification after a different decision was made by Pope Benedict. So, we've been told that Pope Leo's Pallium will have these black crosses, again, a kind of symbol or sign of his continuation, of his continuity with his predecessor.

BRUNHUBER: Yes, that's right. And we're seeing those pictures of the black crosses exactly. So, an interesting difference from some previous popes, as you've said. And just before we, we go again I just want to ask you about what happened. Earlier you were there as the pope was riding by in the in the Popemobile. Take me through that moment, because that was significant, the first time that he's interacted that way with the crowds. What was that like both for you personally to see him driving by and the reception he got from the crowds?

BRISCOE: Well, the Popemobile is a symbol of the pope's office as much as any of the other symbols. It's the Popemobile that carries the pope to be with the people. And so, seeing that first ride of Pope Leo was a moment of great joy this morning.

You know, we were just meters away from the pope as he rode by, and you could hear people cheering. You could see all the cell phones out, everyone looking for a photo. But above all, what I noticed was the great smile on Pope Leo's face. Just taking great delight in the moment, being happy to be with the people.

BRUNHUBER: Yes, a very significant moment for so many people who got to see him there for the first time. Really appreciate getting your insights, both you, Christopher Lamb and Father Patrick Briscoe, in Rome. We'll be checking back in with you.

I want to bring in now CNN Religion Contributor Father Edward Beck, who joins me now from Westchester, New York. So, as you're watching along here and seeing, these solemn moments, this procession through the beautiful area there. You see all the beautiful artwork as well. The choir singing just has this ethereal majesty. Take me through your thoughts through this moment right now.

FR. EDWARD BECK, CNN RELIGION CONTRIBUTOR AND ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST: Well, of course, the whole point of all of that is supposed to be to lift our spirits to God that the beauty of the cathedral. The way those basilicas are built, the frescoes, the music, the rising of the incense, the smoke to the heavens, all of it is meant to facilitate our being connected to something outside of ourselves, something that's holy.

[04:10:00]

And I think what we're seeing here in the beauty of this ceremony is meant to, again, elicit the important connection of what we are witnessing. We're at the tomb of the first pope, St. Peter, who was martyred. And this pope who will be really officially installed today has gone to that tomb of the first pope for the great continuity over the centuries of the Catholic church, which is the continuity that we hold very dear as a Catholic church from the first pope, Peter, to the present pope, and that we continue to try to inspire people to lift people up. That what this pope's mission is to get people connected to God, that he reaches out in a path away as shepherd. And you'll hear shepherd over and over again today from the Pallium, the lamb wool, put on her shoulder to the readings. We'll hear it the mass. It's all about feed my sheep, feed my lambs, be a good shepherd.

So, it's helping to make the bridge between people and God. And I'm struck that we do this and the grandeur and the beauty of this ceremony to help people really have their spirits lifted to something higher. I mean, we are visual people. We're auditory people. And so, we used our senses in order to connect to the divine, and that's one of the reasons that ritual and liturgical symbolism is so important, I think.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. Certainly, the grandeur and majesty of the moment not lost on anybody who's watching this here. I want to get your personal take on what's going on, because, listen, you studied with the pope, you know him, you obviously won't know what's going through his mind right now, but just any insight that you might have as to how, you know personally, he's dealing with this huge moment with the eyes of the world watching him so much at stake. I mean, it must be nerve- racking.

BECK: I'm sure it's nerve-racking. Actually, our path has just crossed at Catholic Theological Union. He was leaving the year that I arrived. So, although, we passed, you know, together we really weren't friends or I didn't have much conversation at all with him, but I certainly have visited his community and some of those who have lived with him and have known him well.

And again, he's a very quiet, unassuming person. He was not someone who would stand out in a crowd, and I think that's probably part of the reason why he was chosen, because of his humility, because of his ability to listen and take in other people's perspectives, he would often be the last one in the room to speak, and yet, maybe what he would say would seemingly be the most profound.

I am friends with the woman who taught him scripture, Sister Dianne Bergant who's been in the news because of her connection to him, and she has said what an honor it was to teach the pope the bible. That the one who administered the word of God received the interpretation of that word through what she taught and helped facilitate. And she said he was an A student. He was, you know, again, one of the smartest in the class, very studious.

And so, he really has all of the qualities, the intellectual acumen, the personality, the compassion, the missionary work. He went to Peru on his own accord, always thought he would stay there. He became bishop there. He wanted to be among his people. But he also heard the call of Pope Francis to come back to Rome to become the head of the Castry for Bishops, which is an important office that helps pick bishops throughout the world. So, he got to know a lot of them, a lot of the world situations.

So, again, this was a man I think that Pope Francis looked at and said, I think that he would be a good successor. Now, Pope Francis never said that, but some of the moves Pope Francis made for the end of his life pushed Cardinal Prevost ahead. And so, he wanted it certainly in the fore. And I think Pope Francis is probably looking down today, very happy with what's happening in this ceremony as a new papal leader is installed.

BRUNHUBER: Yes, such's a significant moment for all, what, 1.4 billion Catholics around the world, but no more so than all of the American Catholics who are watching the inauguration of the first American pope.

We'll be back with more on the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in a moment. Really appreciate having you there, Father Edward Beck. We'll check in with you later. Stay with us here on CNN Newsroom. We'll be right back.

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[04:15:00]

BRUNHUBER: The inaugural mass for Pope Leo XIV is set to get underway. Soon in St. Peter's Square. The ceremony will formally install the first American pope as leader of the Catholic Church. Tens of thousands of Catholic faithful and well-wishers have packed into Vatican City and spilled out onto the streets of Rome. European royalty and world leaders are also attending, including the U.S. vice president and secretary of state.

I want to bring back in CNN Religion Contributor Father Edward Beck, who joins me now from Westchester, New York. So, as we watch these pictures here of the crowd in St. Peter's Square, take us through exactly what is happening now. What is the significance of this ceremony?

BECK: Well, we've just come from the tomb of St. Peter where they have received the Pallium. The cardinal deacons have taken the Pallium and the ring, and they are processing the long litany, and it's called Lauda Regena. And the litany is different from the litany of the saints because it's about Christ being victorious over the grave, and it's asking, rather than Lord, pray for us, or Lord hear us, it's saying, pray for him.

[04:20:00]

So, they're invoking all of the saints of the tradition in this litany to pray for this new pope. Passed popes and saints to allow him to do this ministry, this Petrine Ministry with the greatest effectiveness possible as shepherd. And so, we are processing into the mass, which will begin, and it'll be a mass typically like other masses, but then not as well, because there will be a part of the ceremony where he will actually receive the Pallium, which is the soul that is woven and lamb's wool. And again, the symbolism of that is that the shepherd carries the lamb on his shoulders and the Pallium has crosses on it, of course, the Christian symbol of the cross. And then three pins. Three pins that represent the of nails Christ in the crucifixion.

And so, it's a very symbolic garment that the pope wears. And all metropolitan bishops, head of diocese wear, but they can only wear it in their diocese, other bishops. The pope can wear it at all times because he is the universal pastor. Yes, he's bishop of Rome, but he is also bishop of the world. So, he's Pallium is different.

BRUNHUBER: I'm going to just going to cut in because we're hearing from the pope right now. Let's listen in.

POPE LEO XIV (through translator): Peace be with you and with your spirit. Brothers and sisters, on this day made by the Lord, we renew the memory of our baptism through the sign of this water, which will be sprinkled on us. May he help us by his grace to remain always faithful to the spirit we have received.

Lord our God, in your mercy, be present to your people's prayers and for us who recall the wondrous work of our creation and the still greater work of our redemption. Graciously bless this water. For you created water to make the fields fruitful and to refresh and cleanse our bodies. You also made water the instrument of your mercy, for through water, you freed your people from slavery and quenched their thirst in the desert. Through water, the prophets proclaimed the new covenant. You were to enter upon with the human race. And last of all, through water, which Christ made holy in the Jordan, you have renewed our corrupted nature in the bath of regeneration.

Therefore, may this water be for us, a memorial of the baptism we have received and grant that we may share in the gladness of our brothers and sisters who at Easter have received their baptism through Christ our Lord. I saw water.

BRUNHUBER: Father Beck, I want to go back to you now that we heard that opening blessing. Take us through what was said and the significance of those particular words.

BECK: Well, again, I think we're starting by the way the mass would start. It's the opening prayer, it's the call to prayer. And now, because it's the eastern season and -- I'm sorry the Easter season, we'll have the sprinkling right. So, water is blessed on Holy Saturday night, which is the night before Easter when the Catholic Church begins the celebration of Easter.

And that water then, for the six weeks of Easter, is sprinkled each Sunday on the faithful as a reminder of that baptism. And so, because it is still the Easter season, the pope at this mass is blessing the water, and we'll have this sprinkling rite, this beautiful sprinkling rite that is going to be invoking again the Holy Spirit to come upon the people and the risen Christ, the whole history of the risen church now is being remembered in the sprinkling rite.

[04:25:00]

And so, that's what's happening in the introductory prayers of the mass. And again, what we will hear in these prayers over and over again is a call to the original pope of St. Peter. You will hear Peter's name and the readings. You will hear Peter's name, I'm sure, in the homily, and we've just come from Peter's tomb. And so, that is the significance of these opening rights and the sprinkling right. BRUNHUBER: All right. Many thanks to you. Father Edward Beck in New York. We'll be talking to you a little bit later on as we continue to cover this inauguration. Let's listen in again as the pope is offering another prayer. Gloria.

POPE LEO XIV (through translator): Glory be to God in the highest.

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BRUNHUBER: All right. As we listen to this beautiful moment here in St. Peter Square, let's bring in our CNN Vatican Correspondent Christopher Lamb and Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, editor of our Sunday Visitor Magazine.

Just a beautiful moment, as I say, as we listen to that choir. We heard the pope there offering his opening blessing. Take us through what you heard and the significance of what he said.

LAMB: Well, we are hearing the beginning parts of the mass, the beautiful singing and chant from the choir. The, you know, opening part of this service. And we're going to soon hear the readings, which have been chosen for this mass. These readings are going to reflect the ministry of the pope as the successor of St. Peter. So, we're going to hear about the -- about St. Peter's commissioning by Jesus in the bible, which of course is very significant because as Catholics believe that the pope is the successor of St. Peter, the first pope.

So, we are going to be hearing those readings, but obviously, at the moment, we have the beautiful chants of the prayers by the choir. And it's a very, I'd say, prayerful and solemn atmosphere now in the Square as people are following this mass of inauguration from Pope Leo XIV.

BRUNHUBER: And, Father Patrick, we're expecting to hear the pope's homily. What are you expecting to hear from the pope?

BRISCOE: Well, I anticipate one of the great questions, which has been a question since the general congregations began, those were the discussions of the cardinals before the conclave. I expect we'll hear Pope Leo pick up some of those themes from that conversation.

So, among them, one of the most important is going to be unity. This is what the cardinals were greatly concerned, and I expect we'll hear Pope Leo say something about that. I expect also we'll get something of a sense of the shape of his ministry. As an Augustinian, of course, he's going to be very attuned to the teaching of Saint Augustine. He's already given us several great lines pointing to Augustine. I think we'll hear something of the pope's style. We'll get a kind of sense of what he wants to emphasize and we'll hear him talk about his vision for leadership, and that will include, I expect, charity and some other similar points.

BRUNHUBER: As we watch this very diverse crowd in St. Peter's Square, listening to this beautiful ceremony in the inaugural mass of Pope Leo. Thanks to you Christopher Lamb and Father Patrick Briscoe in Rome. We'll be checking back in with you. And please stay with CNN. Newsroom will be right back with more on this historic moment. Stay with us.

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[04:30:00]

BRUNHUBER: And welcome back to all of you watching us here in the United States, Canada, and all around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. This is CNN Newsroom.

You're looking at live pictures of the inaugural mass for Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter's Square. The ceremony formally installs the first American pope as the 267th pontiff. Prayers will be offered in multiple languages during the mass, including Greek, Arabic, and Chinese, reflecting the diversity of the church's 1.4 billion members around the world.

All right. Joining me now from Rome is CNN Vatican Correspondent Christopher Lamb and Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, editor of our Sunday Visitor Magazine.

So, as we continue to watch these stirring images here in St. Peter's Square, Christopher, I want to ask you, you've been covering these events for a long time. What difference have you seen so far from previous. Inaugural masses from, let's say Pope's Benedict and Francis?

LAMB: Well, largely, this mass is following the same pattern as Benedict and Francis' inaugurations, but there is going to be something a little bit different from Francis's inauguration with this mass is that, at some point, hopefully, it will receive different representatives of the Catholic Church worldwide for what is known as the kind of oath of obedience, but they're going to be coming up to see the pope for that moment. And they're coming from different parts of the church, including from Peru. There's a bishop from Peru who's going to be doing the oath. He, of course, is from the country where Pope Leo served for many years as a missionary. We've also got a married couple, some young people, a religious sister who has a senior role in the -- in Rome.

Now, I think this represents what Pope Leo wants to see with the church and how he wants to lead the church. He wants everyone to be involved, not just the hierarchy leading the church, but people working with the bishops and the cardinals in this joint sense of missions. I think that's going to be -- that's being reflected, I should say, during this mass at that moment.

[04:35:00]

BRUNHUBER: Father Patrick, I want to build on what Christopher was just talking about there, the issue of leadership. We know that the pope will be dealing with many issues after this inauguration. In terms of the issues facing the Catholic church, what do you think his first priority will be? BRISCOE: Well, certainly there are many things to continue and he is given us a little bit of an indication of where he's going to begin. He's emphasized post Pope Francis project of synodality, which he, Pope Leo, views as the internal reform of the church. Speaking from the perspective of the United States, we're going to want to see continued reforms to end the global clerical sexual abuse crisis, we have a continued call for transparency on that front.

Also, a very pressing issue for Pope Leo will be the Vatican finances. If Pope Leo can court benefactors who will make generous donations to the church, that's only one aspect. He'll have to continue on internal reform, advocating for transparency, continuing audits, which were begun years ago that have been left unfinished. So, govern -- issues of governance like these two will be front of mind, I think, for the pope.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. I'm just curious, the issue of finance is not something one normally thinks of the Catholic Church suffering from any problems when it comes to money. Tell us specifically what issues are they facing?

BRISCOE: Well, again, it has largely to do with the falling off of donations, and then there have been several global scandals including one quite notable one concerning an investment of real estate in London. These major issues, the falling off of donations, the loss in a real estate deal that fell flat, those are significant losses for the church and they have to be overcome. And they have to be overcome both by the pope winning over new benefactors, but also by assuring those benefactors that he can govern the church well and secure that those monies will be used for the purposes for which they were given to the Vatican.

BRUNHUBER: Those are all very worldly issues right now. Of course, most of the thoughts are much more spiritual as we're watching this inaugural mass for Pope Leo XIV. Really appreciate it. We'll be back to you a little bit later in the programming. Thanks to you Christopher Lamb and Father Patrick Briscoe in Rome.

All right. Please continue watching here on CNN Newsroom as we continue covering this inaugural mass at St. Peter's Square. Please stay with us.

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[04:40:00]

BRUNHUBER: All right. We're looking at live pictures of the inaugural mass for Pope Leo XIV, formerly installing him as leader of the Catholic Church. During the service, he'll be presented with two symbols of his new role. The Pallium lamb's wool vestment that represents his care for the church and role of shepherd and The Fisherman's Ring, which symbolizes his authority as the successor of St. Peter who Catholics hold to be the first pope.

All right. We're continuing to follow breaking news out of New York where a Mexican Navy training ship struck the Brooklyn Bridge. The mayor says at least two people were killed, and 19 others injured. Mexico's president says she's deeply saddened and has expressed her condolences to the families of the victims. The two people who died and fell from one of those ship's mast, according to a law enforcement official.

Video showed that both masts hit the underside of the bridge and broke apart as the vessel passed through. More than 100 fire and emergency personnel responded to the scene on Saturday night. City officials say mechanical issues may have caused the ship to strike the bridge and cautioned all information so far is preliminary.

Palestinians say more than 150 people have been killed since Israel launched its new offensive in Gaza. More than 450 others have been wounded as Israel presses ahead with Operation Gideon's Chariots, which got underway on Friday. Despite the offensive of Israel and Hamas have resumed their ceasefire talks in Qatar.

The new offensive is making the bad humanitarian situation worse with food prices skyrocketing and many people scrambling to flee to Southern Gaza, according to witnesses. Meanwhile, Arab leaders are holding a summit in Baghdad where they called for the fighting to end and aid deliveries to resume. No aid has entered Gaza in 11 weeks to the Israel's blockade, which drew blunt words from the U.N. secretary- general.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANTONIO GUTERRES, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: In Gaza, the situation of Palestinians is beyond description, beyond atrocious, and beyond inhumane. The policy of siege and salvation makes a mockery of international law. The blockade against humanitarian aid must end immediately. And I say again, nothing justifies the atrocious October 7 terror attacks by Hamas, but nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: The U.S. president says he will speak to Russia's president on Monday. Donald Trump posted on social media that the phone call will be about stopping the bloodbath in Ukraine. He says he believes a peace deal won't happen without his direct intervention. The Kremlin spokesperson told Russian State Media that they're preparing for the conversation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Rome on Saturday, who pledged his continued support of Ukraine. Zelenskyy wasn't invited to be part of the Trump- Putin call despite his pleas for direct talks with Russia's president. Donald Trump's former national security adviser tells us what he thinks will happen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN BOLTON, FORMER TRUMP NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER AND FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: I think it's what both Putin and Trump want, although for very different reasons. In fact, I think what both of them really want is a meeting and maybe one outcome of this phone call, as Trump said, the Middle East, we'll be to try and get a meeting together as soon as possible. Trump wants the meeting because he'll be the center of attention. And what better place could he be?

Putin wants the meeting for several reasons. He thinks he can manipulate Trump. He believes he has manipulated him successfully since Trump's inauguration. And there are other advantages too. No pesky Volodymyr Zelenskyy, no pesky European leaders, just Putin and Trump. That is exactly the scenario that Putin wants, ex-KGB agent that he is. It's not a guarantee Putin will succeed, but that is the scenario he has been looking for.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[04:45:00]

BRUNHUBER: All right. I want to go back to our breaking news. The inaugural mass for Pope Leo XIV. We're joined now by Katie McGrady, A CNN Vatican analyst, and she's in Houston, Texas. So, as we hear them singing the gospel, you've been watching along what struck you most about what we've been seeing so far in this ceremony from the high moments from the pope riding through the crowd and his popemobile to the more somber moments of reflection inside the basilica?

KATIE PREJEAN MCGRADY, CNN VATICAN ANALYST: I woke up early so I could watch it live with all of you, because it is a historical moment and I was immediately struck by the fact that it hasn't even been a month since we lost Pope Francis. Things go so quickly, and yet, at the same time, it feels like it's been ages, you know, sometimes in entire 30 days feels like 30 years in terms of historical moments.

So, as Pope Leo was processing out of St. Peter's, all I could think about was the last time we saw a huge procession was when the casket of Pope Francis was being carried. And so, the reason that came to my mind was because Pope Leo was standing there as a cardinal just a little less than a month ago, and now he's the new Holy Father.

And so, for all us Catholics who were tethered into this, I'll use a phrase, my own bishop back in Lake Charles, Louisiana used, this vast continuum, how today he's being installed in the shoes of the fishermen. He's connected back to the first Peter. He's connected back to the last Peter, Francis. Now, he's our new Peter.

So, there's a great amount of pride and joy while at the same time a little bit of still some sadness as we miss Pope Francis and how Pope Leo is probably holding those things in tension. I don't want to speak for him, but you can almost see it on his face that he feels the heaviness of this moment and the joy of the moment.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. It's been fascinating to watch along you know, from a global perspective. We've seen people from all around the world gathered there. But, listen, from an American perspective, I mean, how significant is this moment for Catholics in the United States, especially for younger people that you often are engaging with on your platforms? MCGRADY: Yes, I was actually just at an event in New Jersey with a lot of people, wide variety of ages, some young, some older. And there's a sense of hometown pride. I've been struck by the fact that everybody wants to claim him. You've got people in Louisiana who, of course, point to his Creole roots. I saw some posts over the weekend, he became a transitional deacon in Detroit. So, now, Michigan's got him. I convinced my husband to buy White Sox tickets just because the pope is a White Sox fan, and we're going to Chicago and we're going to go to his team. So, there is this pride that he's our boy, so to speak.

But I also think it's important that he can speak directly to us. Somebody asked him at his first gathering with the media, do you have any messages for the United States? And Pope Leo turned and said, many, I think Americans are going to have to listen up to our north American pope.

At the same time, he's the least American of the American cardinals because of his ministry down in Peru and his experience in the Curia. So, I think he is the perfect pick and Americans are certainly paying attention. There is Leo fever in this Leo moment. So, many people love him already, and I think it's because we feel this relatability. He's Bobby from the south side, but he's also -- he's this incredible figure, our new Peter. And across the spectrum of emotions, Americans are going to feel that American exceptionalism and joy.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. Interesting perspective there. The new Peter. Listen, we're going to take a break, but I want to talk to you on the other side when we come back. Katie McGrady, stay there. We will talk to you in a second. And the rest of you, please stick along with CNN Newsroom as we continue to cover the Inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV. We'll be right back.

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[04:50:00]

BRUNHUBER: All right. We're watching the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV. And just a few seconds ago, the pope received the Pallium, you see it around his shoulders there.

I want to bring in Christopher Lamb and Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, editor of our Sunday Visitor Magazine. Walk us through that moment that we just saw there as the pope received that Pallium, explain the significance of that and the particular colors that are on it and the symbolism.

LAMB: Well, Kim, it was a very special moment when Pope Leo received the Pallium just a few moments ago during this massive inauguration, there was a round of applause just around us and in the crowd when he put it on for the first time. And people could see that.

Of course, the Pallium is a symbol of the pope's ministry and leadership, his authority. But of course, that authority is linked very much to the idea of the pope as a shepherd. And the Pallium is made of lamb's wool. And of course, that signifies that the pope is called to be the good shepherd, to tend to his sheep, to serve the people. And it was almost palpable in the crowd that sense that Pope Leo will be that servant, that leader now when he put the Pallium on for the first time.

BRUNHUBER: And, Father Patrick, we're waiting for the homily to begin and we're very interested in what the pope will say. I mean, what message do you think he'll have to send to sort of unite the Catholic world as we're watching this this inaugural mass take place here?

BRISCOE: Well, very often the homily have the massive inauguration for the Petrine Ministry is a little bit of a program. So, we'll see if Pope Leo gives us a kind of sense of his plan for his ministry, or if he takes more of a kind of encouraging route, you might say, whether he postulates himself, whether he presents himself as someone who's going to encourage the church and give us more of a message, a spiritual message connected to the gospel. So, it could be either way. We'll see here soon in his words.

[04:55:00]

We got a little sense of his program of governance when he met with diplomats on Friday. The Holy Father highlighted peace, justice, and truth as three priorities in that speech. So, we may see something similar today, we may see something quite different.

BRUNHUBER: And, Father Patrick, take -- just take us through what it's like there to watch the ceremony for the many people who are there in the crowd. I can't just not be struck by the solemnity as he receives his ring. Actually, maybe we can pivot to that. Take us through the significance of that ring. What is it called? What does it stand for?

BRISCOE: So, the Pallium is a symbol of the pope's office as shepherd, but the ring really symbolizes the fact that he's following Peter as a fisherman. The ring is in fact called The Fisherman's Ring. And of course, this comes from the moment that we heard in today's gospel where Peter had just returned from fishing after the resurrection and had this beautiful exchange of Christ.

The pope as a fisher of men is supposed to go out to the world, to win souls for Christ, to engage the world. I think we'll see in Pope Leo this missionary sense. The ring has a very beautiful detail on it. It actually has a fisherman's net on the side, and that design is to remind the pope every time he looks at his hand, that he's supposed to be one who goes out to the world, that he's a fisher of men.

LAMB: Yes. Yes. OK. OK. Well, we can see now that, you know, Pope Leo has received those symbols of office. I mean, it's a big moment for him at this time, you know, really sinking in that he is now a pope.

BRISCOE: Absolutely. I think you have to feel that the ring would be a very heavy kind of thing, not because it's physically heavy, but spiritually heavy.

LAMB: Yes.

BRISCOE: And certainly, that the Pallium is kind of yoke, isn't it?

LAMB: Yes.

BRISCOE: It's something that you bear on your shoulders.

LAMB: Yes. I mean, he was sort of looking at the ring and for the first time when he had it on, it's going to take a bit of getting used to, to be pope, isn't it? I mean, it's not something you can just, you know, overnight suddenly think, you know, I'm used to this new role. I mean, it's going to take time.

BRISCOE: I think what's so powerful about these symbols is that Pope Leo didn't design them. It's not like he sat around and said, oh, I'd like a big fancy ring that I'd like to wear this thing around my neck. But they're symbols of office they've been carrying down through the ages, and any man that adopts them, I think has to have a kind of sense of humility before.

LAMB: Sure.

BRISCOE: You know, to bear these things that belong to the tradition in that way.

LAMB: And this pope already showed -- has shown that he is quite keen to maintain the traditions. For example, he wore the red mozzetta when he came out on the balcony, which Francis didn't wear. What is your sense about Leo when it comes to a tradition? Is he someone who's going to be a bit more following the traditions a bit more closely than perhaps some people felt Francis did?

BRISCOE: Well, I think in some sense, yes. If you go back and look at the photos of the masses that he celebrated as a cardinal, they are fairly traditional, fairly elaborate investments. But he's also a missionary. And missionaries have a way of trying to mixing things up a bit, don't they? I think so. So, there's a kind of certain embrace of the tradition here in the outward symbols, but I wouldn't be surprised if we get some surprises along the way that are part of his outreach and really that sense of mission that going out.

LAMB: Because, of course, that time in Peru that he's had, those years serving in those communities, that has got change you as a person that's got to influence. And surely, that's going to be something we're going to see him, you know, showcase as pope, that missionary experience that he's had.

BRISCOE: I like very much this idea that some people are saying Pope Leo kind of belongs to the world. And of course, we're very proud to have the first American pope. But his ministry is in Peru for two decades and he's lived here in Rome for many years as the head of the Augustinian Order working for the Castry of Bishops. This is a person with really an international sensibility that I think will belong to all of us.

LAMB: But surely, you know, an American hope is going to have a big impact on the church in the United States. I mean, you said you know the deacon who sang the gospel, he's a deacon at the North American College. What's your sense of the reaction amongst Catholics?

BRISCOE: Well, we are quite proud to have one of our own. And certainly, for a deacon from the Midwest, like the pope is, to sing the gospel at a mass like this brings something of a sense of pride to our region.

LAMB: Well, certainly a very proud moment for Catholics in the United States as we're witnessing now this inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope.

BRUNHUBER: OK. So, we can go --

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