PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina have travelled to Rome to attend the Inauguration of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. The Mass of Inauguration is set to kick off at 10am in St Peter's Square to officially begin the Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV - and many world leaders have travelled over for the important event. During the ceremony, the new pontiff is given the pallium and the fisherman's ring as symbols of his new authority - but this may be slightly tweaked as every pope is free to make it more personal. US Vice President JD Vance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be attending the important event. It is expected that President Higgins and Sabina will have an opportunity to greet Pope Leo following the Mass. In the afternoon, the President and Sabina will visit St Isidore's College in Rome, where they will meet with members of the Irish Religious Community. The Franciscan Community are this year celebrating the 400th anniversary of the College, which was founded by Irish Franciscan Luke Wadding in 1625. In a statement following the announcement of Pope Leo's election, he said: "May I, as President of Ireland, extend my warmest congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on his election as successor to Pope Francis. "This is an immensely significant moment for all those of faith and goodwill around the world who look to the Papacy for spiritual guidance, moral clarity, and global leadership at a time described by his predecessor Pope Francis as needing the vocation of diplomacy. "Pope Leo XIV assumes this important role at a time of great challenges for the world. "I extend Pope Leo my very best wishes as he begins his Pontificate, and I welcome his statement that he is prepared to lead with compassion, wisdom, and an enduring commitment to the values of peace, justice, and human dignity. "In his words so far, he has given priority for the need for building the mind and practice of peace. "Ireland enjoys a long-standing and deeply rooted connection with the Holy See. "It is founded on shared values of interdependence, and the responsibility that goes with it. "We in Ireland very much look forward to maintaining and deepening that relationship with Pope Leo, as we continue to share and work together on the project of fostering dialogue and understanding between peoples and nations. "It is my sincere hope that under Pope Leo’s leadership, the Holy See will continue to play a central role in promoting global solidarity, addressing the pressing issues of poverty, inequality, conflict, and climate change — challenges that transcend borders and demand collective action from the international community. "On behalf of the people of Ireland, I wish Pope Leo every success and strength for his Pontificate.”