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Pope Francis: Homily at Inaugural Mass (full text)

CWN - March 19, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I thank the Lord that I can celebrate this Holy Mass for the inauguration of my Petrine ministry on the solemnity of Saint Joseph, the spouse of the Virgin Mary and the patron of the universal Church. It is a significant coincidence, and it is also the name-day of my venerable predecessor: we are close to him with our prayers, full of affection and gratitude ... [click link for full text]

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  • Posted by: AgnesDay - Mar. 19, 2013 2:41 PM ET USA

    I really wondered if we would have a new Pope of the caliber of the previous two. My gosh, I think he has the best qualities of both plus a little something else! I have never seen anyone in any call of life connect with such utter intimacy with huge numbers of people, to the point that even Shepard Smith was caught up and charmed by this good man. He could just as easily taken the name Joseph as Francis.

  • Posted by: loumiamo7154 - Mar. 19, 2013 2:26 PM ET USA

    Hallelujah!   I found this sentence in the Popes homily at his first mass as Pope:  "Let us not allow omens of destruction and death to accompany the advance of this world." In other words, let's not let environmentalist wackos prevent progress, let's not fall for their predictions of doom and gloom that always accompany progress. Progress is always too dangerous, according to them. But Pope Francis said let's not fall for that anymore.

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