Pope Francis’ Inaugural Mass: Begining of a brave new world

Pope Francis’ Inaugural Mass: Begining of a brave new world

Mangaloretoday/Daily mail

Vatican, Rome, March !9: The new pontiff opened up to thousands of adoring followers today – after ditching his bullet-proof Popemobile.

 

 

 

Nearly 200,000 people squeezed into St Peter’s Square to see Pope Francis give his inaugural Mass. Before he was installed as the Vicar of Jesus Christ, the 76-year-old toured the square in an open-top Mercedes jeep, flanked by security.

The leader of the world’s 1.2billion Catholics wore a second-hand papal ring, plain white vestments and black shoes – in contrast to the last pope’s luxurious red loafers. The outfit of the Argentine pope, formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, underlined his message that the Church’s missions was to defend the poor and disadvantaged.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In his homily, the first pope of the Americas said: “The Church’s mission 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.”

The ceremony, conducted from the steps of St Peter’s Basilica, was shortened to two hours after a three-hour service in 2005 when Benedict XVI began his papacy.

 

 

 

Beforehand, he took to his custom-made Popemobile, waving and shouting “Ciao!” to well-wishers and kissing babies handed up to him. At one point, the 266th pontiff signalled for the vehicle to stop and he got out to bless a people in wheelchairs.

Looking on, Argentine Cirigliano Valetin, 51, said: “The Pope is a simple, humble person. "He is not like the untouchable popes, he seems like someone people can reach out to.”

Before the Mass, Pope Francis – elected by a conclave of cardinals last week – collected his “Fisherman’s” ring that once belonged to a papal secretary, rather than a newly minted gold piece of jewellery.

Five hundred priests then distributed communion to the crowds.Representatives from 132 countries attended, including the UK’s cabinet minister Ken Clarke.

Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe defied an EU travel ban to be there.