54 New Metropolitan Archbishops Receive Pallium

On Sunday, 29 June, Pope Leo XIV presided over the celebration of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, patrons of the Diocese and city of Rome, in Saint Peter’s Basilica. The Mass included the blessing and imposition of the pallium on 54 new Metropolitan Archbishops: eight from the United States of America, five from Brazil, four from Venezuela, three each from Mexico, Argentina, Côte d’Ivoire, India, Poland and Italy, and one each from South Africa, Spain, Guam, Mali, Wales, Indonesia, Guatemala, Burkina Faso, Albania, Thailand, New Caledonia, France, Philippines, Peru, Senegal, Canada, Papua New Guinea, England and Vietnam.

Pallium is the Latin word for mantle or cloak. It is a woollen band that is bestowed by the Pope upon the shoulders of Metropolitans or Primates as a testimony of their communion with the Bishop of Rome and their mission to spend their lives for the flock, imitating the Good Shepherd carrying His sheep on their shoulders. The pallium also signifies the power which the metropolitan, in communion with the Roman Church, has by law in his own province.

Following the Eucharistic celebration — concelebrated by Cardinal Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of Johannesburg, South Africa, and Cardinal Robert Walter McElroy, Archbishop of San Diego, USA — the rites of the blessing and imposition of the pallium were carried out. Deacons retrieved the vestments from the Confession of Saint Peter and presented them to the Pope. The Cardinal Proto-Deacon, Dominique Mamberti, introduced the new Metropolitan Archbishops, who then took the oath of fidelity to the Pope and the Church of Rome. The Pope personally placed the pallium on each one’s shoulders, exchanging with each an embrace and a few words.

During the liturgy, Pope Leo offered his warm greetings to the Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate sent by His Holiness Bartholomew, expressing his “heartfelt gratitude.” Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon (Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople) was present at the celebration, as designated by the Ecumenical Patriarch. He also greeted members of the Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, thanking them for their presence and “pastoral zeal” praying that the Lord may grant peace to their people.