ROME (CNN) — It was with a call for the protection of the weakest in society that Francis was officially inaugurated Tuesday as the Catholic Church’s 266th pope, before a crowd of thousands bathed in sunlight.
Giving his homily before the throngs in St. Peter’s Square, Francis showed the humility and concern for ordinary people that have been noted since he was elected six days ago.
Before he spoke, he was given the official symbols of his papacy: a lamb’s wool shawl, to represent his role as “the good shepherd,” and the Fisherman’s Ring, to represent his role of spreading the gospel.
The ring is secondhand and is not solid gold like that of this predecessors, but made of gold-plated silver — again reflecting his desire for simplicity.
The pope delivered his homily in Italian, rooted in a message of looking after the poor and sick, as well as the natural world.
He reflected first on the symbolism of the date: Tuesday is the day that Catholics celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph to honor Jesus’ father on Earth, the carpenter Joseph.
Francis spoke of Joseph’s role in protecting not only Jesus and Mary, but also the church.
“Joseph is a ‘protector’ because he is able to hear God’s voice and be guided by his will; and for this reason he is all the more sensitive to the persons entrusted to his safekeeping,” he said.
“He can look at things realistically, he is in touch with his surroundings, he can make truly wise decisions.”
Francis spoke of the need to protect “all creation, the beauty of the created world” as instructed by the Bible and shown by St. Francis of Assisi, whose name he took as pope.
This, he said, “means respecting each of God’s creatures and respecting the environment in which we live. It means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about.”
He warned of the consequences if people do not look after one another.
“Whenever human beings fail to live up to this responsibility, whenever we fail to care for creation and for our brothers and sisters, the way is opened to destruction and hearts are hardened.”
And he urged those in power to live up to their duties, and to all to avoid evil, hatred and pride.
“I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life, and all men and women of goodwill: Let us be ‘protectors’ of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment.”
After his homily, 500 priests dispensed communion to the throngs of locals, pilgrims, tourists and dignitaries gathered for the historic occasion.
Between 150,000 and 200,000 people turned out in and around St. Peter’s Square, according to the Rev. Federico Lombardi, a Vatican spokesman. Police in the area told CNN there were fewer people than expected.
Francis has already made an impression as a pope of the people who is concerned about the welfare of the poor. But he inherits a church wracked by a decades-old sexual abuse scandal and claims of corruption in the clergy.
Kissing babies
Pope Francis earlier made his way into the square atop an open-top vehicle, spending 17 minutes circling among the crowds in bright sunshine.
He wore the simple iron cross that he wore as a cardinal and that he had on when he first appeared to the world as pope.
When the gathered faithful held up babies and young children for him to kiss, he obliged.
He also stepped out of his sport utility vehicle to kiss the head of a man with a physical disability.
Even though at least a dozen security officers in suits walked alongside the SUV as he circled the square, his decision to bypass the Popemobile, which his last two predecessors used, was telling.
The Mercedes Benz G-Class SUV afforded him the kind of direct contact with people he has embraced since becoming pope.
Had he been in the Popemobile, he would have been behind bulletproof glass, which was installed in 1981 after an assassination attempt on John Paul II.
Francis then took part in ceremonies in St. Peter’s Basilica, before emerging once more in a solemn procession before the massed crowds in the square.
The Mass, which inaugurates Francis as bishop of Rome and marks the official start of his papacy, was short, lasting about two hours. This was in keeping with the spirit of simplicity embraced by the new holy father, the Vatican said before the occasion.
Argentines watch Mass
Back in Francis’ home city, the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires, the faithful packed the main square to watch the event on large screens set up throughout the Plaza de Mayo.
According to the state-run newspaper Telam, a telephone call Francis had made from the Vatican was played to all present, saying: “Thanks for the prayers.”
He added, “Let us be aware of one another, care for life, nature, children and old people,” before concluding by asking those present to pray for him.
Groups also gathered in other cities throughout Argentina to watch the early morning Mass, Telam reported.
The event in St. Peter’s Square was attended by 132 delegations from around the world, including six reigning sovereigns and 31 heads of state.
Dignitaries include European Union leaders Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner of the pope’s native Argentina, and Zimbabwe’s controversial President Robert Mugabe.
Mugabe is subject to a European Union travel ban but allowed to visit the continent for religious events and international conferences.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden led the U.S. presidential delegation for the Mass, the White House said Friday, with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi also among the party.
On Friday, House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican, said he would send a separate bipartisan congressional delegation.
A week of ceremonies
Those delegations are among scores from nations and international organizations traveling to the Vatican, led by heads of states and governments.
Delegations are also on hand from Italy and the pope’s native Argentina.
There are other groups from the Americas, including Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Canada, and European nations such as Holland, Belgium and Germany.
Representatives from across Christianity — Eastern and Western — were also scheduled to be present, along with members of other religions, including Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism.
This is also one of the busiest times of the year on the Christian calendar, which will mean many public appearances for the new pontiff.
Less than a week away is Palm Sunday, the holiday that kicks off Holy Week, which culminates in Easter celebrations.
Hada Messia reported from Rome and Richard Allen Greene from London; Laura Smith-Spark wrote and reported in London. CNN’s Ben Brumfield, Marilia Brocchetto, Dugald McConnell, Brian Todd, Claudia Rebaza and Jason Hanna also contributed to this report.
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