ROME (MEOR) – An international delegation from the World Methodist Council will attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, 18 May, in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican City State. The Methodist leaders will join international delegations from other Christian World Communions, along with interreligious delegations and government and civic leaders, in partaking in the historic inauguration of the first U.S.-born Roman pontiff.
Pope Leo XIV was elected the Bishop of Rome on Thursday, 8 May 2025, after voting by the Conclave of the Catholic Church over two days.
The Papal Inauguration is the Pope’s investiture service in the context of a Eucharistic celebration in which the Pope will publicly receive symbols of his office, including the Fisherman’s Ring and pallum.
The delegation from the World Methodist Council will be led by Bishop Dr. Debra Wallace-Padgett, president of the World Methodist Council and head of communion. She will be joined by WMC general secretary Rev. Dr. Reynaldo Ferreira Leão Neto and WMC vice president Mr. Joshua Rathnam Chinthila, along with Rev. Matthew A. Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome.
Bishop Wallace-Padgett, speaking about attending the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, said, “it is an honor to witness the inauguration of Pope Leo. As a United Methodist Bishop and President of the World Methodist Council, I am grateful for the opportunity to celebrate this moment with our Roman Catholic sisters and brothers. The invitation to represent the World Methodist Council at this historic event is a visible reminder of our shared call to serve Christ in the world, to seek unity in the Body of Christ, and to embody God’s love across denominational lines. I offer my prayers for Pope Leo’s service, ministry, and leadership to the church and world.”
Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome 