On Tuesday, Pope Francis was installed as the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
Addressing thousands in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis’ homily showed concern for the ordinary people and the poor as well as humility for the church. Unlike his predecessors, Francis was given a gold plated ring instead of a solid gold ring to communicate his desire for simplicity. He also received the additional official symbol of his papacy: a lamb’s wool shawl, to represent his role as “the good shepherd.”
This just 6 days after white smoke rose from the Chimney on the Sistine Chapel, signifying that the College of Cardinals has successfully elected a new pope. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a Jesuit from Argentina was lifted as the candidate for the Seat of Peter.
Begoglio chose the name Francis. Pope Francis addressed the crowd in Latin. “A poor church for the poor,” Pope Francis said. Pope Francis is the first Jesuit pope in Roman Catholic history. As it became clear that Bergoglio would receive the two-thirds majority “Right away, with regard to the poor, I thought of St. Francis of Assisi,” as reported by CNN.
In Buenos Aires, thousands gathered in the central Plaza di Mayo to watch Pope Francis’ inauguration mass on large TV screens. Francis called them from Rome; his words were heard over a loudspeaker. “I want to ask a favor,” Francis told them. “I want to ask you to walk together, and take care of one another. … And don’t forget that this bishop who is far away loves you very much. Pray for me,” Francis said as reported by FOX News.
In what appears to be a sign of things to come, checked into his hotel as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio. He was seen paying his own bill after checking out as Pope Francis from the Casa del Clero on March 14 in Vatican City.
Vice President Joe Biden was also in attendance. A full text of Pope Francis’ Inaugural Homily is available at thecatholicworldreport.com