New Pontiff Pope Francis Started First Day As Pope With Prayer, Continued With First Mass As Pontiff

New head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis started his first day as a newly elected Pope with a prayer at Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, IT.

Father Ludovico Melo who prayed with Pope Francis told Reuters, “He spoke to us cordially, like a father. We were given 10 minutes' advance notice that the pope was coming.”

Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected as Pope just past Wednesday and became the first pontiff from South America.

Pope Francis took name after Francis of Assisi, a saint well known for his simplicity and a life in poverty. Pope Francis is the first pontiff who took name Francis and the first Jesuit to be selected.  

Pope’s first day in the position continued with first Mass as pontiff. According to Vatican spokesman Rev. Frederico Lombardi, Pope Francis will very probably say Mass on Sunday, then deliver Angelus blessing. The official installation of the new Pope will be next Tuesday.

New pontiff will continue to lead Catholic Church after his predecessor Benedict stepped down. Benedict stepped down as the first pontiff in 600 years.

New Pope elected just this week on the second day of conclave of cardinals was described by French Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard, as spiritual, a shepherd, a man of great intellectual character and a man of governance.

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