Pope Begins Ministry With Biblical Symbols, Signs Of Universal Ministry

Vatican City (CNS)—Although attempts were made to simplify the ceremony, Pope Francis officially inaugurated his ministry as pope and bishop of Rome in a liturgy filled with biblical symbolism and signs of the universality of his mission.
But before the solemn rites began March 19, Pope Francis—known for choosing public transport over chauffeur-driven limousines—took his first spin in the popemobile, blessing the tens of thousands of people who arrived in St. Peter’s Square as early as 4:00am to pray with him.
He waved and, at one point, gave a thumbs up to the faithful. He also kissed three babies held up to him by the chief of Vatican security, Domenico Gianni, and other officers.
But he climbed out of the open jeep used as a popemobile to kiss a severely disabled man.
Before entering St. Peter’s Square, he addressed by satellite thousands of his fellow Argentines gathered in Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, where he had been archbishop before his election as pope.
He thanked the people for their prayers and told them: “I have a favor to ask. I want to ask that we all walk together, caring for one another ... caring for life. Care for the family, care for nature, care for children, care for the aged. Let there be no hatred, no fighting, put aside envy and don’t gossip about anyone.”
As the Mass began, tens of thousands of pilgrims, faithful and tourists continued to arrive, filling St. Peter’s Square and crowding around the large video screens placed along the boulevard leading to the square. By the time of Communion, the Vatican said there were between 150,000 and 200,000 people present.
In his homily, Pope Francis asked prayers that he would be able to protect the church like St. Joseph protected Mary and Jesus, “discreetly, humbly and silently, but with an unfailing presence and utter fidelity, even when he finds it hard to understand.”
He said in the Gospels, St. Joseph “can look at things realistically, he is in touch with his surroundings, he can make truly wise decisions.”
But more than anything, he said, the church’s patron saint teaches Christians that the core concern of their lives must be Christ.
“Let us protect Christ in our lives, so that we can protect others, so that we can protect creation,” Pope Francis said.
He called for special efforts to protect “God’s plan inscribed in nature” and to protect one another, especially children, the aged, the poor and the sick.
Although according to church law he officially became pope the minute he accepted his election in the Sistine Chapel March 13, Pope Francis received important symbols of his office just before the inauguration Mass—the Book of the Gospels, the ring of the fisherman, St. Peter, and the pallium, a woolen band worn around the shoulders to evoke a shepherd carrying a sheep.
With members of the College of Cardinals dressed in gold gathered before the main altar in St. Peter’s Basilica and brass players sounding a fanfare, the rites began at the tomb of St. Peter.
Pope Francis venerated the mortal remains of his predecessor as head of the church and was joined there by the heads of the Eastern Catholic Churches.
Also present were representatives of 132 governments, led by the presidents of Italy and Argentina, the reigning royals of six countries—including Belgium’s king and queen—and 31 heads of state.