Pope Leo XIV on Sunday (June 29) imposed the pallium on 54 new metropolitan archbishops during the celebration of the mass for Saints Peter and Paul, patrons of Rome, at the Vatican.
The pallium, a woolen band that the pope bestowed upon the shoulders of metropolitans, "expresses the communion with the Bishop of Rome," Leo explained.
The United States was the most represented country among the new metropolitan archbishops, including Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington.
During the service in St Peter's Basilica, the pontiff greeted the members of the Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, reiterating his wishes for peace for the Ukrainian people.
The pope also offered his greetings to the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, part of the Eastern Orthodox Church, led by Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon.
At the end of the mass, Leo and Emmanuel descended to the crypt of the Basilica to pray at the tomb of St Peter, whom the pope is considered to be the successor of.
(Production: Matteo Negri)