Pope Francis

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21839069

19 March 2013 Last updated at 06:50 ET
Pope Francis inauguration Mass celebrated in Vatican


Pope Francis receives the fisherman's ring to begin his papacy

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One of the Pope's first duties was to go down to the tomb of St Peter to venerate it.

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.
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Many photos at link

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2295626/Pope-Francis-Inauguration-Mass-New-Pope-tours-St-Peters-Square-jeep-bless-babies-disabled-man.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Pope on tour: Francis tours St Peter's Square in a jeep to bless babies and a disabled man as he presides over inaugural mass
PUBLISHED: 02:58 EST, 19 March 2013  | UPDATED: 05:42 EST, 19 March 2013

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/03/19/pope:_homily_for_inaugural_mass_of_petrine_ministry_[full_text]/en1-674758

2013-03-19 10:29:14
Pope: Homily for inaugural Mass of Petrine Ministry [full text]

Vatican Radio) Homily of the Holy Father at the Inauguration of his Papal Ministry 19 March 2013:

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I thank the Lord that I can celebrate this Holy Mass for the inauguration of my Petrine ministry on the solemnity of Saint Joseph, the spouse of the Virgin Mary and the patron of the universal Church. It is a significant coincidence, and it is also the name-day of my venerable predecessor: we are close to him with our prayers, full of affection and gratitude.

I offer a warm greeting to my brother cardinals and bishops, the priests, deacons, men and women religious, and all the lay faithful. I thank the representatives of the other Churches and ecclesial Communities, as well as the representatives of the Jewish community and the other religious communities, for their presence. My cordial greetings go to the Heads of State and Government, the members of the official Delegations from many countries throughout the world, and the Diplomatic Corps.

In the Gospel we heard that “Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary as his wife” (Mt 1:24). These words already point to the mission which God entrusts to Joseph: he is to be the custos, the protector. The protector of whom? Of Mary and Jesus; but this protection is then extended to the Church, as Blessed John Paul II pointed out: “Just as Saint Joseph took loving care of Mary and gladly dedicated himself to Jesus Christ’s upbringing, he likewise watches over and protects Christ’s Mystical Body, the Church, of which the Virgin Mary is the exemplar and model” (Redemptoris Custos, 1).
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Pope Francis makes good first impression on U.S. Catholics: poll
By Mary Wisniewski | Reuters – 36 mins ago





Reuters/Reuters - Pope Francis arrives in Saint Peter's Square for his inaugural mass at the Vatican, March 19, 2013. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini



http://news.yahoo.com/pope-francis-makes-good-first-impression-u-catholics-202516371.html

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWst-jrcjpw

YouTube:  Pope Francis - Mass of Inauguration
Published on Mar 19, 2013 

Following a historic papal transition in the Catholic Church, Pope Francis was installed as the 266th Bishop of Rome during a special inauguration mass in St. Peter's Square on March 19, 2013.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/21/world/europe/pope-francis-meets-with-other-religious-leaders.html?_r=0

Pope Meets Other Religious Leaders and Pledges Friendship
Published: March 20, 2013

ROME — Pope Francis promised friendship, respect and continued dialogue with other religious leaders on Wednesday, pledging cooperation with Orthodox Christian groups, describing the spiritual bond between Catholics and Jews as “very special” and expressing gratitude to Muslim leaders.

“The Catholic Church is aware of the importance of the promotion of friendship and respect between men and women of different religious traditions,” the pope said. “I want to repeat this: the promotion of friendship and respect between men and women of different religious traditions.”

Francis, who was formally installed a day earlier, greeted a diverse group of religious leaders in the ornate Clementine Hall inside the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican. Among them were Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians, as well as other Orthodox leaders; representatives from different Protestant denominations; Jewish and Muslim leaders and advocates; and representatives of the Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu and Jainist faiths.
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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/03/20/pope_francis:_discourse_to_representatives_of_the_churches,_ecclesia/en1-675184

2013-03-20 14:39:58
Pope Francis: discourse to representatives of the Churches, Ecclesial Communities and other religions



(Vatican Radio) On Wednesday, March 20 2013, Pope Francis received several dozen representatives of the various Christian Churches and other world religions, who attended the Pope’s inauguration.

Among them were several leaders from the Orthodox Church, Orthodox Oriental Church, the Anglican Communion, and various Protestant churches, including the Lutheran, Baptist and Methodist churches. Representatives from the Jewish and Muslim faiths were also present.

Please find below Vatican Radio's translation of the Pope's discourse:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

First of all, heartfelt thanks for what my Brother Andrew told us. Thank you so much! Thank you so much!

It is a source of particular joy to meet you today, delegates of the Orthodox Churches, the Oriental Orthodox Churches and Ecclesial Communities of the West. Thank you for wanting to take part in the celebration that marked the beginning of my ministry as Bishop of Rome and Successor of Peter.
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http://www.cleveland.com/world/index.ssf/2013/03/pope_francis_says_atheists_can.html

Pope Francis says atheists can be 'allies' for the church
on March 20, 2013 at 5:19 PM, updated March 20, 2013 at 5:20 PM

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But he also reached out to those who don't belong "to any religious tradition" but feel the "need to search for the truth, the goodness and the beauty of God."

Francis echoed his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, saying that the "attempt to eliminate God and the divine from the horizon of humanity" has often led to catastrophic violence.

But Francis, who has set a humbler tone to the papacy since his election on March 13, added that atheists and believers can be "precious allies" in their efforts "to defend the dignity of man, in the building of a peaceful coexistence between peoples and in the careful protection of creation."
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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/03/21/pope_francis_to_celebrate_holy_thursday_mass_at_juvenile_prison/en1-675412

2013-03-21 11:01:11
Pope Francis to celebrate Holy Thursday Mass at juvenile prison

(Vatican Radio) It was announced by the Holy See Press Office on Thursday that Pope Francis will celebrate the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the juvenile prison 'Casal del Marmo' in Rome, the same facility visited by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which commemorates the institution of the Eucharist, also features the rite of the washing of the feet.  ::snipping2::

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http://www.smh.com.au/world/men-in-white-pope-to-meet-benedict-xvi-20130321-2gioe.html

Men in White: Pope to meet Benedict XVI
Date  March 21, 2013 - 8:19PM

Pope Francis is preparing for a historic meeting with his predecessor Benedict XVI on Saturday - the first time a pontiff will meet a former one since the Middle Ages, with both expected to wear the papal white vestments.

Francis's papacy is likely to be highly influenced by the vast intellectual legacy left by his predecessor, experts say, but the memory of the German pope emeritus appears to have faded from the minds of many ordinary pilgrims.

Postcards on sale at Francis's inauguration mass pictured the smiling new Argentinian pontiff alongside the much-loved John Paul II - the pope in between, Benedict, had apparently been axed.

"This papacy will be rooted in Benedict's teachings. He has been the main intellectual force in the Church for the last 25 years and his legacy will continue to shape it," said Samuel Gregg from the US-based Aston Institute religious think tank.
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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/03/22/pope_francis_to_diplomatic_corps:_church_fighting_poverty,_buildin/en1-675745

2013-03-22 11:15:31
Pope Francis to Diplomatic Corps: Church fighting poverty, building bridges (full text)

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received the members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See on Friday in the Sala Regia of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. The work of the Church with the poor, the indispensable role of religion in favour of integral human development, and the need to defeat the “dictatorship of relativism” that is the spiritual poverty of our age, were among the themes of Pope Francis’ discourse. Below, please find the full text of Pope Francis’ remarks to the representatives of the more than 180 countries, sovereign orders and international organisations with which the Holy See has formal diplomatic relations.
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/23/pope-francis-meets-benedict-xvi

Pope Francis meets predecessor Benedict XVI
In first meeting of two popes in more than 600 years, men share papal kneeler to pray together in chapel at Castel Gandolfo
Saturday 23 March 2013 10.35 EDT   


Pope Francis (left) embraces Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as he arrives at Castel Gandolfo. Photograph: Osservatore Romano/Reuters

Pope Francis has met his predecessor, Benedict XVI, in the first meeting of two popes in more than 600 years.

The Vatican said the two men embraced on the helipad at Castel Gandolfo where Francis landed. In the chapel where they prayed together, Benedict offered Francis the traditional kneeler used by the pope. Francis refused to take it alone, saying "We're brothers," and the two prayed together on the kneeler.

Outside the villa, the main piazza of Castel Gandolfo was busy on Saturday with well-wishers hoping to catch a glimpse of history: two popes eating together and discussing the future of the Catholic church. They chanted "Francesco! Francesco!"

The Vatican spokesman, Rev Federico Lombardi, said he understood Benedict offered his pledge of obedience to the new pope, while Francis thanked Benedict for his ministry. He said they both wore white, though Benedict was in a simple cassock without the traditional sash and cape worn by Francis.
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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/03/23/lombardi:_castel_gandolfo_meeting_a_moment_of_profound_communion/en1-676261

2013-03-23 16:58:19
Lombardi: Castel Gandolfo meeting a moment of profound communion

Vatican Radio) Speaking exclusively to Vatican Radio, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., reveals the details of this morning’s historic encounter between Pope Francis and Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus, an encounter he has described as a moment of profound and elevated communion:

“The helicopter landed in Castel Gandolfo heliport, at about 12:15 and the car with the retired Pope approached the helicopter landing site. The Holy Father alighted: he was accompanied by the Substitute [Secretary of State] Msgr. Becciu, by Msgr. Sapienza and Msgr. Alfred Xuereb. As the Pope alighted, the Pope Emeritus approached him and there was a moving embrace between the two.

Then, there followed brief greetings with those other present- the bishop of Albano and the Director of the Pontifical Villas, Mr. Petrillo – they all got in the car: Pope Francis on the right, then place reserved to the Pope, and the Pope emeritus on the left. Msgr. Georg Gänswein, who is Prefect of the Papal Household, travelled in the same car. And so, the car brought the two protagonists of this historic meeting to the elevators and they went up to the apartments and immediately went to the chapel for a moment of prayer.

In the chapel, the Pope emeritus offered the place of honor to Pope Francis, but he said: "We are brothers," and wanted them to kneel together in the same place. After a short moment of prayer, they then went to the private library where, at about 12:30, the private meeting began. This is the Library where the Pope normally receives important guests in Castel Gandolfo. Pope Francis brought a beautiful icon as a gift for the Pope emeritus, their discussions ended at 13.15, lasting about 45 minutes. It should be noted, with regard to the clothing, which actually - as we mentioned earlier - the Pope emeritus wears a simple cassock white, without a sash and without a mantella: these are the two details which distinguish his clothing from that of Pope Francis who wears a mantella and sash.
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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/03/23/pope_francis_to_benedict_xvi:_we_are_brothers/en1-676299

2013-03-23 16:27:18
Pope Francis to Benedict XVI: We are brothers



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Fr. Lombardi described the beautiful embrace that the men shared before making their way to the Apostolic Palace. On their arrival they immediately made their way to the Chapel for a moment of prayer. There, Benedict XVI invited Pope Francis to take the pew reserved to the Holy Father. But Pope Francis responded “we are brothers” and insisted that the two kneel together in prayer at the same pew.

The Holy Father also brought a gift for his predecessor, an icon of Our Lady of Humility, as a gift for Benedict XVI's great humility. The two men then spent an estimated 45 minutes in private conversation in the Library before emerging to lunch with two secretaries.

The intensely reserved nature of the encounter confirms what Benedict XVI had confided to the priests of Rome in his last meeting with them as Pope on February 14th when he said: “Although I am retiring now, I will always be close in prayer, and you will be close to me, even if I remain hidden away from the world".

Further underling the deep communion between these two men, Fr. Lombardi reminded journalists that since his election to the Papacy Francis has twice telephoned the Pope Emeritus and warmly referred to him in all of his public speeches.
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Video at link

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/pope-francis-and-benedict-embrace-pray-together/2013/03/23/a79c675f-dadc-4141-a206-3233dc8de5fd_video.html

Pope Francis and Benedict embrace, pray together
Sat Mar 23 2013

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21914547

23 March 2013 Last updated at 22:00 ET
Pope Francis to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass



Pope Francis is to begin the Catholic Church's most important liturgical season with a Palm Sunday Mass in Rome.

Tens of thousands of pilgrims are expected in St Peter's Square for the Mass that marks the start of Holy Week.

Sprigs of olive trees will be distributed to the faithful in remembrance of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem before his crucifixion.

The run-up to Easter is considered the most important week in the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church.

After Sunday's Mass, the Pope will lead six more liturgies during the week, culminating with the Easter Sunday Mass and Urbi et Orbi blessing.

What the newly-elected Pope says during these services will take on added significance coming at the start of his pontificate, says the BBC's David Willey in Rome.
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http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/24/17437753-crowds-pray-with-pope-francis-at-start-of-holy-week?lite

Crowds pray with Pope Francis at start of holy week
Updated 1 hour ago


Alessandra Tarantino / AP
Pope Francis arrives in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Sunday.

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http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/03/24/pope-francis-palm-sunday/2014551/

Pope Francis keeps it spontaneous on Palm Sunday
9:57a.m. EDT March 24, 2013



VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis celebrated his first Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square, encouraging people to be humble and young at heart as he promised to go to a youth jamboree Brazil this summer, while the faithful enthusiastically waved olive branches and braided palm fronds.

The square overflowed with some 250,000 pilgrims, tourists and Romans eager to join the new pope at the start of solemn Holy Week ceremonies, which lead up to Easter, Christianity's most important day.

Keeping with his spontaneous style, the first pope from Latin America broke away several times from the text of his prepared homily to encourage the faithful to lead simple lives.

At the end of the two-hour Mass, Francis took off his red vestments, leaving only the white cassock and skull cap, and climbed into an open-topped popemobile to circle through the enthusiastic crowd. He leaned out to shake hands, kissed and patted the heads of infants passed to him by bodyguards, and often gave children the thumbs-up sign.
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http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57575999/pope-francis-opens-catholics-holy-week/

March 24, 2013, 7:24 AM 
Pope Francis opens Catholics' Holy Week

VATICAN CITY Pope Francis celebrated his first Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square, encouraging people to be humble and young at heart, as tens of thousands joyfully waved olive branches and palm fronds.

The square overflowed with some 250,000 pilgrims, tourists and Romans eager to join the new pope at the start of solemn Holy Week ceremonies, which lead up to Easter, Christianity's most important day.

Keeping with his spontaneous style, the first pope from Latin America broke away several times from the text of his prepared homily to encourage the faithful to lead simple lives.

Palm Sunday recalls Jesus' entry into Jerusalem but its Gospel also recounts how he was betrayed by one of his apostles and ultimately sentenced to death on a cross.

Recalling the triumphant welcome into Jerusalem, Francis said Jesus "awakened so many hopes in the heart, above all among humble, simple, poor, forgotten people, those who don't matter in the eyes of the world."

Francis then told an off-the-cuff story from his childhood in Argentina. "My grandmother used to say, `children, burial shrouds don't have' pockets,'" the pope said, in a variation of `'you can't take it with you."
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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/03/24/pope:_homily_for_palm_sunday_mass_[full_text]/en1-676381

2013-03-24 10:48:58
Pope: Homily for Palm Sunday Mass [full text]

Vatican Radio) Below we publish the text of Pope Francis’ Homily for Palm Sunday:
1. Jesus enters Jerusalem. The crowd of disciples accompanies him in festive mood, their garments are stretched out before him, there is talk of the miracles he has accomplished, and loud praises are heard: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Lk 19:38).

Crowds, celebrating, praise, blessing, peace: joy fills the air. Jesus has awakened great hopes, especially in the hearts of the simple, the humble, the poor, the forgotten, those who do not matter in the eyes of the world. He understands human sufferings, he has shown the face of God’s mercy, he has bent down to heal body and soul. Now he enters the Holy City! This is Jesus. This is the heart that looks on all of us, watching our illnesses, our sins. The love of Jesus is great. He enters Jerusalem with this love and watches all of us.

It is a beautiful scene, the light of the love of Jesus, that light of his heart, joy, celebration.

At the beginning of Mass, we repeated all this. We waved our palms, our olive branches, we sang “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord” (Antiphon); we too welcomed Jesus; we too expressed our joy at accompanying him, at knowing him to be close, present in us and among us as a friend, a brother, and also as a King: that is, a shining beacon for our lives. Jesus is God, but he humbled himself to walk with us. He is our friend, our brother. Here, he enlightens us on the journey. And so today we welcome Him And here the first word that comes to mind is “joy!” Do not be men and women of sadness: a Christian can never be sad! Never give way to discouragement! Ours is not a joy that comes from having many possessions, but from having encountered a Person: Jesus, from knowing that with him we are never alone, even at difficult moments, even when our life’s journey comes up against problems and obstacles that seem insurmountable, and there are so many of them! It is at this time that the enemy comes, the devil comes, often disguised as an angel who insidiously tells us his word. Do not listen to him! We follow Jesus!
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