by Rachel Ogbu
On Tuesday, March 19, 2013, more than a million people were reported to have gathered in Saint Peter’s Square for Pope Francis inaugural mass at the Vatican. Political and religious leaders were also in attendance, however his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, did not attend.
Pope Francis is the first Latin American Pope and was previously the Cardinal of Buenos Aires.
Pope Francis arrives in Saint Peter’s Square for his inaugural mass at the Vatican. (Photo by PAUL HANNA / REUTERS)
A number of political leaders were in attendance including Argentinean President Cristina Kirchner, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and British representatives Baroness Warsi and Ken Clarke. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is also in attendance, skirting the EU travel ban over human rights abuses by citing his purpose in Italy is on religious grounds. Photo by TONY GENTILE / REUTERS
Argentinean Catholics watch the inaugural mass of Pope Francis on a giant screen next to the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires
Photo by ENRIQUE MARCARIAN / REUTERS
The Fisherman’s Ring is placed on the finger of Pope Francis by Cardinal Angelo Sodano (R), Dean of the College of Cardinals. The ring is made of silver-plated gold unlike his predecessor who wore a solid gold ring. Photo by STEFANO RELLANDINI / REUTERS
Pope Francis arrives from Saint Peter’s Basilica. Photo by STEFANO RELLANDINI / REUTERS
More than one million devoted Catholics have gathered in St Peter’s Square. Photo by GIAMPIERO SPOSITO / REUTERS
Pope Francis arrives in Saint Peter’s Square where he greets the faithful.Photo by GIAMPIERO SPOSITO / REUTERS
Pope Francis approaches priests with an Argentine flag. Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner was the first political leader to be received by the Pope. Photo by STEFANO RELLANDINI / REUTERS
Pope Francis kisses a child on arrival at St Peter’s Square. The modest Pope chose to take the name of Francis in honour of St Francis Assisi who lived with the poor. Photo by TONY GENTILE / REUTERS
The crowd brandishes flags from all over the world. Photo by STEFANO RELLANDINI / REUTERS
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