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.

Applauding the election of Pope Francis, Orthodox leaders are stressing their hope for continued cooperation with the Catholic Church during his pontificate.

Citing a distinguished German theologian and an anonymous elderly penitent from Argentina, Pope Francis told an overflow crowd in St. Peter’s Square never to despair of God’s mercy to sinners.

With many stories of kindness abound in Buenos Aires, where Pope Francis was archbishop for 15 years, until being elected pope March 13. Portenos, as locals there are known, came to know Pope Francis as an unpretentious prelate, who took public transit, showed preoccupation for the poor and challenged the authorities.

Tens of thousands of pilgrims packed St. Peter’s Square and adjoining streets March 17 to hear Pope Francis deliver his first Angelus, saying prayers at noon and greeting pilgrims not only from Rome but from around the world.

It is with a sense of real joy that I welcome the election of Pope Francis I as the successor to Pope Benedict XVI. Like all Catholics I am very excited and encouraged by this news, writes Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, Archbishop of Perth.