Prince Edward has joined an estimated 250,000 pilgrims and a host of world leaders are gathering in St Peter's Square today for the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV.
The Duke of Edinburgh, 61, is representing the Royal Family at the Mass that will mark the official start of Leo's papacy as the first north American pontiff.
Prince Edward is attending the ceremony in lieu of King Charles or the Prince of Wales.
Prince William previously attended Pope Francis' funeral on behalf of the King due to a longstanding royal rule.
Prince Edward represented the Royal Family at the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV.
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The Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, who was elected earlier this month following the death of Pope Francis on 21 April, will preside over the ceremony at the Vatican.
Today's mass began in front of St Peter's Basilica, beginning at 10am local time (9am BST). There was no specific time limit for the ceremony set, though similar inaugural masses have lasted approximately two hours.
The service marks the official beginning of Leo XIV's pontificate and will feature both traditional Catholic Eucharistic celebrations and special symbolic moments honouring Saint Peter, the Church's first pope.
Pope Leo waved to pilgrims from the Popemobile before holding his mass.
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During the ceremony, the new pontiff will receive two significant symbols of papal authority. The first is a gold signet fisherman's ring, named in honour of St Peter, which features Leo's name engraved inside and an image of Saint Peter with keys and a net.
The second gift is a lamb's wool pallium draped around his shoulders, symbolising the pope's role as the "Good Shepherd".
This liturgical vestment features two black pendants, six black silk crosses, and is adorned with three pins representing the nails of Christ's crucifixion.
These items authenticate the faith and symbolise the duties entrusted to the papacy.
Francis is the first pontiff from north America.
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The ceremony began inside St Peter's Basilica before moving to the chapel of the Tomb of Saint Peter, where Pope Leo XIV paused to pray and incense the area. The procession then continued to the altar in St Peter's Square.
Following readings and the gospel, the pope will be presented with the pallium and the fisherman's ring. He will then deliver a homily, lead the congregation in prayer and bless the Eucharist.
It is not the first time a reigning monarch has been represented by other Royal Family members at papal events.
Prince Edward’s mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, was represented by the Duke of Gloucester at the inauguration of Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, in 2013.
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The Duke of Edinburgh joins a long line of Royal Family representatives stepping for the monarch at papal events.
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Prince Philip also stepped in for the former Queen at Pope Benedict XVI's ascension in April 2005.
King Charles, then Prince of Wales, was himself the Royal Family representative at the funeral of Pope John Paul II earlier that year.
Edward’s wife, Sophie the Duchess of Edinburgh, will not join him to observe to the ascension of the first north American pope.
However, he was joined by a selection of other dignitaries from around the globe.
US Vice President JD Vance, second lady Usha Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be in attendance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will also observe the ceremony.
Representing the British state will be Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Other notable attendees include Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Argentinian President Javier Milei, and members of the Spanish royal family.
