Pope Francis Gives First Mass
By: Big 2 News Staff
Updated: March 15, 2013
Pope Francis gave his first homily as pontiff on Thursday in a Mass with the cardinals who elected him.
Pope Francis recited prayers with the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel.
He began the day with prayers at a basilica in Rome.
Pope Francis will be formally installed Tuesday.
The former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina was elected Wednesday by secret ballot in the 5th round of voting in the conclave.
Pope Francis is first ever Latin American leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.
He is also the first Jesuit and the first to assume the name Francis.
Pope Francis plans a visit with his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, in the coming days.


