Pope Francis blesses and kisses a handicapped person in St. Peter's Square in Rome Tuesday.Associated Press
Pope Francis, the newly elected head of the Roman Catholic Church, and revelers flocked to Saint Peter’s Square on Tuesday for the inaugural mass of his Petrine Ministry. Despite the crowds, there was silence in Saint Peter’s Basilica, where throngs of people from around the world came to see the formal installation of the first Jesuit and first Latin American pope. The ceremony recognized Pope Francis as the 265th Successor of Peter. Prior to the Mass, the pope received the fisherman's ring and the pallium, two liturgical symbols of his Petrine Ministry.
Pope Francis waves as he arrives in Saint Peter's Square for his inaugural mass at the Vatican, March 19, 2013. Pope Francis celebrates his inaugural mass on Tuesday among political and religious leaders from around the world and amid a wave of hope for a renewal of the scandal-plagued Roman Catholic Church.Reuters
Crowds fill Saint Peter's Square for the inaugural mass of Pope Francis at the Vatican, March 19, 2013. Pope Francis celebrates his inaugural mass on Tuesday among political and religious leaders from around the world and amid a wave of hope for a renewal of the scandal-plagued Roman Catholic Church. Reuters
Faithful watch a televised broadcast of the inaugural mass of Pope Francis near the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires March 19, 2013. Pope Francis celebrates his inaugural mass on Tuesday among political and religious leaders from around the world and amid a wave of hope for a renewal of the scandal-plagued Roman Catholic Church. Reuters
Pope Francis arrives in Saint Peter's Square for his inaugural mass at the Vatican, March 19, 2013. Pope Francis celebrates his inaugural mass on Tuesday among political and religious leaders from around the world and amid a wave of hope for a renewal of the scandal-plagued Roman Catholic Church. Reuters
