Pope Leo takes his first popemobile ride and people are absolutely losing it

Pope Leo has been spotted riding through St Peter's square in the infamous 'popemobile' ahead of his inauguration today and the crowd has gone 'absolutely nuts' over it.

Just 10 days after he was announced as the new Bishop of Rome, Leo's Installation Mass is kicking off today (18 May), and viewers watching from home have already been losing it over one key detail.

Pope Leo was officially named the successor of Pope Francis on 8 May, with the conclave taking just over 24 hours to come to a decision.

The 69-year-old pontiff is considered a moderate when it comes to 21st century Catholic beliefs and in a Vatican first, he is also the first pope to hail from the United States, having been born in Chicago.

The day after his election (9 May), Leo partook in his first mass where the world looked on as they heard both his singing voice and notable Chicago accent. And, even more recently, he made his social media debut, too.

Pope Leo is the first-ever American pope (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

On Tuesday (13 May), Leo published his very post on the papal social media accounts, which were employed to great effect by his predecessors, Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI.

According to a press release from the Dicastery for Communication, the pope has chosen 'to maintain an active social media presence through the official papal accounts on X and Instagram'.

Today, Pope Leo is set to be officially inaugurated into his position at the helm of the church, and has already been spotted riding in the popemobile as he waves through the crowds of fans gathered to watch the historic event.

The popemobile as we know it has been in used since the 1970s, and while back in the day it started off a bit more lavish as a kind of mobile throne, in modern times they tend to just be a standard adapted vehicle.

Viewers watching the religious event couldn't believe it as Pope Leo made his appearance, with one writing: "I love the popemobile".

"THE POPEMOBILE," said another.

"The crowds, which stretch far down the Via della Conciliazione, are going absolutely nuts as Pope Leo XIV greets them from the open-air popemobile," a third observed.

While not its official name, the 'popemobile' is the widely-accepted nickname for the papal vehicle and was popularised during the 1970s and 80s.

The first 'official' popemobile is widely considered to be a Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460 Pullman given to Pope Pius XI in 1930, adorned with silk carpeting and embossed doves on the exterior.

The popemobile has since become a way for the pontiff to interact with his followers, but it also serves another very important purpose - it's the pope's last line of defence against assassination attempts.

Pope Leo was spotted in the popemobile today (Vatican Media)

The vehicles often come complete with bulletproof glass and heavy armour, coming after Mehmet Ali Agca attempted to assassinate Pope John Paul II in 1981.

Ağca shot the Pope twice, leaving him severely injured, and was later sentenced to life behind bars.

After entering the basilica today, Pope Leo will be presented with two major items that symbolise his new papal powers at the Vatican.

The first of which is the Fisherman's Ring, which is named in honour of the first pope, Saint Peter - who was a fisherman.

Additionally, he also be presented with the pallium - a strip of lambswool which represents his role as a shepherd.

It is placed on his shoulders before the mass begins.

During the mass, Leo will deliver a homily (a religious sermon) to the public as he lays out some of the themes of his papacy.