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Pope Francis inaugurated his papacy on Tuesday (March 19) with an address calling for the defence of the weakest in society and of the environment, saying that otherwise the way was opened to death and destruction.
A huge crowd converged on St. Peter's Square to see the new pontiff celebrate his inaugural Mass amid a wave of hope for a renewal of the scandal-plagued Roman Catholic Church.
After a ride through the square for the first time in an open-top popemobile, Pope Francis prayed at the tomb of St. Peter's in the Basilica for a few quiet moments before entering St. Peter's square to address the crowd.
Looking as though he was trying to hold in his emotions, the pope accepted his new papal ring from Cardinal Angelo Sodano. The papal ring chosen by Francis is made of gold-plated silver and depicts St. Peter holding the keys.
Pope Francis took his name in honour of St. Francis of Assisi, a symbol of poverty, chari
