New pope to celebrate three public Masses in May

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Leo XIV’s schedule of public liturgies in May includes events revolving around the inauguration of his ministry, visits to Rome’s major basilicas and a celebration of priestly ordinations.

Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Vatican master of liturgical ceremonies, published the pope’s official liturgical schedule for the month May 12.

The liturgies focus on the formal assumption of his Petrine ministry and Marian devotions.

The calendar includes (times listed are local time in Rome):

— May 18, Mass for the inauguration of the pope’s Petrine ministry in St. Peter’s Square, 10 a.m.

— May 20, visit to St. Paul’s tomb of at Rome’s Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, 5 p.m.

— May 25, Mass at the Basilica of St. John Lateran — the Diocese of Rome’s cathedral — and the pope’s installation as the bishop of Rome, 5 p.m. Followed at 7 p.m. by a visit to Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major and veneration of the Marian icon “Salus Populi Romani” (health of the Roman people).

— May 31, Mass for the feast of the Visitation of Mary with priestly ordinations in St. Peter’s Basilica, 10 a.m.