Pope Francis made a plea for the poor as he was officially inaugurated yesterday in a public ceremony that blended Vatican ritual with the simplicity of the Church’s new leader.
He acknowledged his power as Pope, but he also explained that power implies service
The first Latin American Pope in history used his homily to drive home the message that power brought with it a responsibility to serve.
He called on the faithful to embrace those less fortunate than themselves, “especially the poorest, the most vulnerable, those who are thirsty, hungry and naked”.
That appeal, which prompted a flurry of applause from his audience of multiple thousands, was neatly juxtaposed with the dignitaries, fine garments and Latin chants that surrounded him.
The Pope’s inaugural day started at 8.50am, when he took to an open-top vehicle to tour St Peter’s Square and salute those gathered. Fitter members of the congregation sprinted after him at every curve, desperate to get a close-up view as he snaked around the various passageways left clear.
But amid the whirring legs and craned necks, it was an elderly man who got the best bang for his buck, when Pope Francis came down off his vehicle, kissed and blessed him.
The most ardent of Catholics were already pressed against Vatican entry checkpoints two kilometres away as early as 5am, though it would be another 90 minutes before any were allowed in.
Many packed a thermos and umbrella, mindful of the previous day’s incessant rain that had threatened to dampen the big event. They need not have worried, as daybreak brought with it clear blue skies and the warmth of early spring sunshine.
Having toured the square, Pope Francis entered St Peter’s Basilica. There, he knelt at the tomb of St Peter before receiving a white wool cloak, or pallium, symbolising his duties as shepherd of the Catholic flock, and a silver-cast ring of the fishermen, one of which is custom-made for each pope.
The Pope then received vows of obedience from 12 cardinals selected to represent the entire College of Cardinals – in a change of protocol he instituted to shorten the ceremony – before returning to a packed St Peter’s square to celebrate Mass with the thousands present.
A more varied congregation would be hard to find. Catholics waving their national flags turned the square into a patchwork of colour, while priests and nuns in their various robes packed their designated seating area.
Rabbis, muftis and Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Church, were also in attendance. It was the first time an Orthodox patriarch attended a papal inauguration.
Catholic US Vice President Joe Biden made the journey, as did EU Commission president José Manuel Barroso. They were joined by 130 other international delegations, ranging from that led by Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou to that of EU-sanctioned Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
Malta’s delegation was led by President George Abela, who was accompanied by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Opposition leader Lawrence Gonzi and their respective spouses.
Four children from Puttinu Cares and two Dar tal-Providenza residents also flew over with the delegation on the Prime Minister’s invitation, while the Maltese diocese was represented by Auxiliary Bishop Charles Scicluna.
Asked why the Archbishop did not attend, a Curia spokesman said the bishops had simply decided between themselves that Mgr Scicluna would represent them at the celebrations.
Dr Abela said he was moved by the Pope’s message. “He acknowledged his power as Pope, but he also explained that power implies service. That encapsulated the entire homily,” he said, adding that the new pontiff had “already touched the hearts and minds of all of us”.
Judging by the reactions of some in the crowd that last sentiment is unequivocally true.
“He’s made me excited about being a Catholic again,” Spanish machine operator Juan Miguel Alvarez, 43, said.
“We were on our honeymoon in Sicily but decided to change plans the moment we heard him speak. I have a good feeling about this man.”
For Roman pensioner Francesco Lombardo, 66, Pope Francis’ words were a breath of fresh air. “He talks like a normal person, and he likes a joke. I like what he’s said so far. But talking is easy. Hopefully he really means it.”