ROME, ITALY-The newly named Pope Francis spent the majority of his first day meeting people in Rome ahead of a Sistine Chapel Mass with cardinals later in the day.
The pope went to meet school children and local commuters, before heading off to Piazza Navona to pick up his belongings, and he will begin to appoint senior staff at the Vatican.
As the first Latin American (and the first Jesuit) Pope, Francis has received a lot of messages from around the world.
The 76-year-old Argentine also faces many challenges in his new position. Francis has taken the head of Church at a critical moment in Catholic history, when the church has been accused of infighting and scandals over sexual abuse and alleged corruption.
Francis also plans to visit his predecessor Benedict XVI at his retreat at Castel Gandolfo outside Rome, but will not take place within the next few days. This trip is deemed important as the existence of a retired pope prompts fears that there will be a possible rivalry.
Francis will be officially named head of Church in an inauguration mass on the nineteenth of March, the Vatican stated.
By: Julia Roake
Source: BBC
Image: BBC
14 March 2013
09:30am PDT