Pope Leo inauguration: JD Vance’s stunning act at Pope inauguration

US vice-president JD Vance has raised eyebrows with a surprising act at Pope Leo XIV’s papal mass in Rome.

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese is joining world leaders including US vice-president JD Vance and the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at Pope Leo XIV’s papal mass in Rome.

Canadian prime minister Mark Carney Israeli president Isaac Herzog the Argentinian president Javier Milei and Britain’s Prince Edward are also in attendance at St Peter’s Square for the inaugural mass.

An estimated 250,000 people are expected at the event, set to commence at 10am local time (6pm AEST), which will acknowledge the beginning of papacy of the first US pontiff in the history of the Roman Catholic church.

Follow news.com.au’s live blog for updates.

Pope Leo XIV aboard the popemobile to greet the crowd at Saint Peter's Square before his inauguration. pic.twitter.com/LCxByFAN7Y

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Originally published as Pope Leo inauguration: JD Vance’s stunning act at Pope inauguration