The Vatican reveals the first official portrait of Leo XIV

On the morning of this Friday the first Official Portrait of Pope Leo XIV. Through a publication of the office for the liturgical celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, two days after its appointment, it is revealed that in all likelihood it is the first snapshot of the current bishop of Rome, dated May 8, next to its unpublished signature.

In the portrait it appears dressed in the White Sotana characteristic of the potatoes, skullcap –The white -distinctive white gorrilla of the Pontiff, rochet – A fine linen shirt that is put above the cassock and covers to the knees -, Red Bots buttoned and the characteristic stolethe band with gold embroidery that hangs from their neck. In addition, it carries the papal crucifix and a gold ring, its cardinal credential.

By the date of the photo it can be deduced that it was taken in the moments before its presentation to the world, in the afternoon on Thursday. In his expression a nervous smile is guessed. Photography is taken in the Paulina chapel, Within the Apostolic Palace, one of the great buildings of the Vatican and with a very likely future residence of Leo XIV.

Under the portrait the firm appears, «Leone pp. XIV » and the date, “8 Maggio 2025.”

The differences with the Franisco’s first papal portrait They are notable. On the one hand, the photo of the previous Pontiff has a white or grayish background: neutral. In addition, its clothing is whole white, chromatism that only interrupts a papal crucifix in silver. Instead of the stole, he is dressed in a pelegrine above the white muleta.