THE VATICAN FIXES INAUGURATION OF POPE LEO XIV FOR MAY 18.

The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo XIV's inauguration will take place on May 18 with a Mass in St. Peter's Square at 10am (0800 GMT). 

Pope Leo XIV was elected as the first US pontiff after four rounds of voting in the papal conclave to succeed Pope Francis who died on April 21.

He had also decided to retain his successor's top employees for the time being, allowing him to decide on key appointments. 

Earlier on Friday, the pope celebrated his first Mass in a private gathering of cardinals at the Sistine Chapel, expressing his hope to bring light to the world's "dark nights".

The pontiff emphasized the Church's mission to spread faith in areas where it is fading, particularly where technology, money, and power dominate.

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