Pope Francis urges protection of creation, weak

[ucrdem]

1. A couple of details from the NYT:

As the Mass began, Francis received two symbolic emblems of his office as leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics — the fisherman’s ring, which recalls how St. Peter fished for food and later for souls, and the pallium, a white woolen vestment that symbolizes the role of the pope as a good shepherd.

{snip}

The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said the Vatican does not issue invitations. “Those who wish to come, can,” he said. “No one is refused. No one is invited. We welcome those who want to come.”

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who is Catholic, will represent the United States at the Mass. The delegation also includes Gov. Susana Martinez of New Mexico; Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the Democratic leader in the House; and John J. DeGioia, the president of Georgetown University, a Jesuit institution.



http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/20/world/europe/installation-of-pope-francis.html?_r=0

. . . and from WaPo:

Francis directly addressed the leaders of the 132 nations arrayed around him, including Vice President Biden.

“Please, I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life, and all men and women of goodwill: let us be ‘protectors’ of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment.

Let us not allow omens of destruction and death to accompany the advance of this world!”



http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/catholic-church-inaugurates-pope-francis-in-huge-open-air-mass/2013/03/19/72a80ff2-9064-11e2-9cfd-36d6c9b5d7ad_story_1.html