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Pope Francis inauguration Mass celebrated in Vatican Pope Francis in plea for poor as inauguration Mass held
(about 1 hour later)
The inauguration Mass for Pope Francis has been held in St Peter's Square in Rome, marking the start of his papacy. Pope Francis has inaugurated his papacy at a Mass in Rome, calling on global leaders and all the people of the world to defend the poor and the weak.
Francis earlier toured the square in an open-topped vehicle, descending to bless pilgrims behind the barriers. Up to 200,000 people attended the Mass in St Peter's Square.
His homily called on global leaders and all people of the world to protect the weak and the poor. Up to 200,000 people attended the Mass. His homily focused on protection - of the environment, children, the elderly and those in need, who he said were "often the last we think about".
Francis was elected by a conclave of cardinals last week to take over from Benedict XVI.Francis was elected by a conclave of cardinals last week to take over from Benedict XVI.
Benedict became the first pontiff in 600 years to abdicate last month. Citing his age, 85, he said he could no longer continue in the post.Benedict became the first pontiff in 600 years to abdicate last month. Citing his age, 85, he said he could no longer continue in the post.
The first pontiff from the Americas, Francis has suggested he will take a more modest approach than predecessors.
Papal ringPapal ring
Pope Francis, formerly Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, left his temporary residence at Casa Santa Marta shortly before 09:00 (08:00 GMT) and began touring St Peter's Square. Pope Francis, formerly Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio and now the first pontiff from the Americas, has since his election called for a "Church for the poor" and has struck an informal and spontaneous tone.
He waved to the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, who flew flags and shouted: "Long live the Pope!" His chosen name, Francis, honours St Francis of Assisi, the 13th-Century son of an aristocrat who spurned a life of luxury to live with and for the poor.
Rodrigo Grajales, a 31-year-old Colombian priest, told AFP news agency: "With Pope Francis, the Church will be closer to the people and to the modern world." Pope Francis' homily at the Mass began by focusing on Joseph and his role as protector - of Mary, Jesus and the Church.
One of the Pope's first duties was to go down to the tomb of St Peter to venerate it. Francis, 76, expanded the image, referring to Francis of Assisi and saying that the role of protector was not just a Christian one.
Francis was then presented with his papal pallium made of lambs' wool - symbolising his role as shepherd of his flock - in the main square.
He also received the "fisherman's ring" bearing the image of St Peter holding two keys. The ring is second hand and is made of silver-plated gold, not the solid gold worn by Francis' predecessor.
With the reception of the pallium and ring, Francis officially began his office as the 266th pope.
The Pope then received the obedience of the cardinals, and the Mass formally began.
Francis then delivered his homily, in Italian.
It began by focusing on Joseph and his role as protector - of Mary, Jesus and the Church.
Pope Francis expanded the image, referring to the saint whose name he had taken - Francis of Assisi - and saying that the role of protector was not just a Christian one.
He said: "It means protecting all creation, the beauty of the created world... It means respecting each of God's creatures and respecting the environment in which we live.He said: "It means protecting all creation, the beauty of the created world... It means respecting each of God's creatures and respecting the environment in which we live.
"It means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about.""It means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about."
Francis called on "all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life" to be protectors of creation.Francis called on "all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life" to be protectors of creation.
"To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love, is to open up a horizon of hope," Francis said."To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love, is to open up a horizon of hope," Francis said.
Without care for the environment and fellow humans, "the way is opened to destruction and hearts are hardened", he said.
"Let us not allow omens of destruction and death to accompany the advance of this world.""Let us not allow omens of destruction and death to accompany the advance of this world."
Communion was then distributed by 500 priests throughout the crowd and the Mass was concluded. Francis said the pope himself must be inspired by the lowly - "the poorest, the weakest, the least important, those who Matthew lists in the final judgment on love: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, those in prison".
It was co-celebrated by around 180 clergymen, including Adolfo Nicolas, the superior general of Pope Francis' Jesuit order. 'Very humble'
The list of attendees also includes US Vice-President Joe Biden and the spiritual head of the Orthodox Church, Patriarch Bartholomew. Francis had begun the day by touring St Peter's Square in an open-topped Popemobile.
He is the first Orthodox patriarch to attend a papal inauguration Mass since the two branches of Christianity split more than 1,000 years ago. At one point he stepped down from the vehicle and approached the barriers to bless a disabled man.
Thirty-three groups of guests from various Christian Churches were expected in total, according to the Vatican, along with 16 delegations from Jewish communities, as well as representatives of other faiths. Francis spent 20 minutes touring the square, waving to the pilgrims who flew flags and shouted: "Long live the Pope!"
Spontaneous tone Isaac Adroamabe from Uganda, said: "My first impression is that the Pope is very humble, and has taken the Church in his heart."
Hundreds of people gathered on Tuesday in Plaza de Mayor, the main square in Buenos Aires, to watch the Mass broadcast on giant screens set up outside the cathedral. Seven-year-old Pietro Loretti, from Italy, said: "I like him because he loves the poor."
Correspondents say that in his first few days in office, Pope Francis has been striking an informal and spontaneous tone, preferring anecdotes and off-the-cuff remarks to scripted speeches. As the Mass began, Francis was presented with his papal pallium made of lambs' wool - symbolising his role as shepherd of his flock - and the fisherman's ring bearing the image of St Peter holding two keys.
Speaking on Saturday, he emphasised that he wanted "a poor Church, for the poor". With this, Francis officially began his office as the 266th pope.
He is the first pontiff to take the name of Francis, choosing it to honour St Francis of Assisi, the 13th-Century son of an aristocrat who spurned a life of luxury to live with and for the poor. Communion was distributed by some 500 priests throughout the crowd.
Pope Francis said the Holy Spirit had inspired the resignation of Benedict XVI and guided the cardinals choosing him as the next pontiff. The Mass was co-celebrated by around 180 clergymen, including Adolfo Nicolas, the superior general of Pope Francis' Jesuit order.
At the end of a Mass he celebrated on Sunday, he waited outside the church and greeted people as they left, like a parish priest, asking many of them to "pray for me". The list of attendees also included the spiritual head of the Orthodox Church, Patriarch Bartholomew.
Later, just a few minutes after delivering the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis sent his first Tweet as pontiff, writing: "Dear friends, I thank you from my heart and I ask you to continue to pray for me. Pope Francis." He is the first Orthodox patriarch to attend a papal inauguration Mass since the two branches of Christianity split nearly 1,000 years ago.
The Pope later greeted the assembled dignitaries individually in St Peter's Basilica.
Hundreds of people also gathered in the early hours of Tuesday in Plaza de Mayor, the main square in Buenos Aires, to watch the Mass broadcast on giant screens set up outside the cathedral.
They erupted in joy as a call from the Pope, made an hour before his Mass, was played via loudspeakers.
He said: "My dear children, I know you're in the plaza. I know that you're making prayers. I need them very much."
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