Manila Cardinal Luis Tagle told journalists that when he went before newly elected Pope Francis to pledge obedience, the pope told him he had “high hopes” for the Philippines.

The election of Pope Francis reflects the vitality of the Latin American church, said Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles. Writing March 20 in La Opinion, the largest Spanish-language daily newspaper in the U.S., Archbishop Gomez said the election of an Argentine as pope also “is a sign of changing times.”

Pope Francis said he plans renewed cooperation to further Catholic-Jewish relations and hopes to contribute to a world where all people live in harmony with the “will of the creator.”

Pope Francis telephoned retired Pope Benedict XVI, the former Joseph Ratzinger, to wish him a happy “name day” on the feast of St. Joseph.

Pope Francis’ papal motto is based on the Gospel account of “The Call of St. Matthew,” the tax collector, in a homily given by St. Bede the Venerable. The pope decided to keep his episcopal motto and coat of arms for his pontificate with just a few minor adjustments in line with a papal emblem. For example, the blazon adds the bishop’s miter and the keys of St. Peter.

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.

Princes and presidents, diplomats and dictators, patriarchs and pastors came together in St. Peter’s Square to witness the inauguration of Pope Francis’ ministry. Any signs of animosity or favor were set aside as more than 130 government representatives, as well as dozens of religious leaders, sat side by side at the March 19 ceremony.

The celebrating started late March 18. Outside the Metropolitan Cathedral, in the expansive Plaza de Mayo, rock bands played. Vendors in the area peddled pictures and posters of Pope Francis, as well as pope-themed cushions, calendars and key rings.

By Cindy Wooden The Vatican released an official schedule for Pope Francis March 17-24, but if his first two days as pope were any indication, the schedule was only an outline destined to expand at a moment's notice. The only event on the new pope's schedule March 15 was an audience with the world's cardinals. But shortly before that meeting, he shocked the receptionist at the Jesuit ...

Pope Francis held an informal, private meeting and lunch with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner on March 18, occasionally in the past the Pope and Argentine President have clashed over social issues such as gay marriage and abortion.