Inauguration of Pope Francis
Some 200,000 people packed into St. Peter’s Square in Rome for the inauguration Mass of Pope Francis. Heads of state and government from around the world attended, including Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The Chancellor congratulates Pope Francis
Photo: Bundesregierung/Bergmann
"It was with great pleasure that I attended the inauguration Mass of Pope Francis in my capacity as Chancellor. It was extremely moving, just as his first days in office have been very moving," said the Chancellor after the ceremony.
Angela Merkel attended the inaugural Mass of Pope Francis on St. Peter’s Square along with the President of the German Bundestag, Norbert Lammert, and the President of the Bundesrat, Winfried Kretschmann. Inside St. Peter’s Basilica she congratulated the new Pope.
Rome, 19.03.13: Final preparations before the ceremony for Pope Francis
St. Peter's Square in Rome was packed with believers from around the world.
On her arrival the Chancellor was welcomed by Vatican officials.
On St. Peter's Square Chancellor Angela Merkel met numerous heads of state and government as well as the Spanish Crown Prince Felipe and his wife Letizia.
From the popemobile, the Pope greeted pilgrims from all over the world.
Pilgrims joyfully welcome the new head of the Roman Catholic Church.
The mass that began inside St. Peter's continues on St. Peter's Square.
After the ceremony Chancellor Angela Merkel met His Holiness Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica.
Direct contact to the people
Angela Merkel praised the Pope’s sermon. It addressed the people directly, she said, in simple language that everybody can understand.
She expressed her hope that his words would be important not only for Catholics, but for the whole of Christianity and for "the role of religions in the world".
The desire for orientation
When she originally congratulated the Pope on his election, the Chancellor wished him "health and strength for his services to the faith and for the wellbeing of the people” of the world. She pointed out that "many people beyond the confines of the Roman Catholic Church look to him for orientation, not only in matters of faith, but when peace, justice and the conservation of the Creation are at stake."
She also expressed her pleasure "for Christians in Latin America that for the first time one of their own has been called to lead the Roman Catholic Church."
Pope Francis was born in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires in December 1936 as Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He is the son of Italian immigrants. After graduating with a degree in chemical engineering he decided to enter the priesthood and became a member of the Society of Jesus. He was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1969.
From 1980 to 1986 he was Rector of the Theological Faculty of San Miguel. While working on his doctoral thesis he spent some time in 1985 in Germany. In 1992 he became Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires, and in 1998 Archbishop. He has been a member of the College of Cardinals since 2001. From 2005 to 2011 he was President of the Argentinian Conference of Bishops. On 13 March 2013 Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope.
Jose Mario Bergoglio holds Argentinian and Italian nationality. He speaks German as well as Spanish and Italian.