Pope Leo XIV stopped in popemobile to carry out incredible act of kindness during inauguration

Pope Leo XIV was seen on camera stopping his popemobile to deliver an impromptu blessing ahead of his is inauguration mass.

Today (18 May) marked the official start of Pope Leo XIV's papacy, with his inaugural mass underway at St Peter's Square in the Vatican City.

The event comes 10 days after Pope Leo XIV - born Robert Francis Prevost - was chosen as the successor to the late Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88.

Before the mass got underway, the pontiff took his first ride in the official popemobile, which allows the pontiff to greet crowds of gathering worshippers.

The crowds which turned up to witness the moment were certainly a mixed bunch, with one American visitor even giving a shoutout the pontiff's favourite baseball team, the White Sox.

Pope Leo XIV took his first ride in the popemobile (David Ramos/Getty Images)

As Pope Leo XIV's popemobile made its way around the gathered crowds, the vehicle stopped after one of the pontiff's guards noticed worshippers holding their young children and stopped the procession.

The young children were then brought forward to the pontiff and, in a tender moment, blessed the pair before returning them to their parents.

Which is a pretty cool icebreaker to pull out during future 'three truths and one lie' sessions once those two children grow up.

Take a look at the heartwarming moment below:

What is the significance of the inaugural mass?

The inaugural mass is typically seen as the official start of a new pope's papacy and is witnessed by various world leaders and heads of state, with the likes of US vice-president JD Vance, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh and the Spanish monarch Felipe VI seen in attendance.

According to Vatican News, the inaugural mass is a rite which 'highlights the bond with the Apostle Peter' and the current pope.

The ceremony is also filled with various symbolic moments, as Pope Leo XIV is presented with the Fisherman's Ring. The signet ring is named in honour of Saint Peter and references his role as a fisherman.

The fisherman's ring seen on Pope Leo XIV during the inaugural mass (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

He will also be presented with a pallium - a strip of lambswool - which is symbolic of the good shepherd.

Pope Leo XIV also delivered a religious sermon, known as a homily, which lays out a new pontiff's vision for his upcoming papacy.

In his homily, Pope Leo XIV, called for a rejection of hatred and voiced opposition to the 'economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalises the poorest' (via NBC News).