The new pontiff appeared visibly moved as Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle placed the ring on his hand.
"Today, you succeed the blessed Apostle Peter," the cardinal proclaimed in Latin before handing him the ring.
Immediately afterward, the new pontiff looked at his hand for a few moments, almost holding back tears, while the square erupted in loud applause.
Pope Leo XIV first received the pallium, a white woolen stole symbolizing the weight of the 'flock' on the shoulders of the shepherd, decorated with six black silk crosses and fastened with three pins representing the nails of the Cross.
After a prayer, the Filipino cardinal presented him with the Fisherman's Ring, made of gold and featuring on its seal a depiction of Saint Peter with the keys and the fishing net. Inside were the inscription 'Leo XIV' (in Latin) and his pontifical coat of arms.
The day began with the Pope greeting the faithful for the first time from the popemobile.
Afterward, he went to pray at the site traditionally believed to be Apostle Peter's burial site, beneath the great baldachin in the center of St. Peter's Basilica.
It was a moment of great symbolism because, in that very place where the new pope prayed —dressed in white vestments and accompanied by the Eastern Churches' patriarchs— both the pallium and the ring that will accompany him in his ministry were also placed.
Afterward, the pallium and the ring were brought out to the square from inside the basilica, carried in procession by three deacons alongside the Gospels.
The rite of bestowing these symbols began with an invocation: "May the Spirit of Truth, who proceeds from the Father, grant abundant inspiration and discernment to your magisterium to strengthen the brothers in the unity of faith."
The universal nature of the Church was reflected among the ministers of the Mass, including a European cardinal deacon, Italian Dominique Mamberti, an African priest, Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, and the Asian Tagle.
Pope Leo XIV's inaugural Mass gathered representatives from around 150 countries and international organizations, including the King and Queen of Spain, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance.