ARGENTINA: Thousands of Catholics in Buenos Aires gather in Plaza de Mayo to watch the live inauguration of Pope Francis in Rome

Record ID: 447303

  • Title: ARGENTINA: Thousands of Catholics in Buenos Aires gather in Plaza de Mayo to watch the live inauguration of Pope Francis in Rome
  • Date: 19th March 2013
  • Summary: IMAGE OF POPE FRANCIS ON BIG SCREEN
  • Embargoed: 3rd April 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA42L9PQT0P87XGMKSQ7UQMQM0W
  • Story Text: Thousands of Catholic devotees in Buenos Aires gathered in the Plaza de Mayo on Tuesday (March 19) to watch the inauguration of Pope Francis in the Vatican in Italy.
    In the hours before the Mass was due to start, thousands of faithful gathered around large television screens set up in the central square which is overlooked by the city's cathedral and famous pink presidential palace.
    Latin America's first pope inaugurated his papacy with an address to an estimated 200,000 in St. Peter's Square in Rome, calling for the defence of the weakest in society and of the environment.
    Some of the worshippers slept outside wrapped in the yellow and white flag of the Vatican. Others prayed inside the cathedral.
    Jose Maria Di Paola, a priest who works in the slums and described himself as a friend of the pope, said Francis was popular with the millions of Argentines who live in poverty.

    "It's a feeling of happiness and lots of emotion to now see, from the Plaza de Mayo, our pastor who accompanied us in the slums. Not in the Cathedral but in the Vatican. Many fond memories of him come to mind, how he supported us. The people in the slums love him because the people there truly see him as a Pope of the slums and that it the best thing," said Di Paola.
    Francis, the former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, took his name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, a symbol of poverty, simplicity, charity and love of nature.

    "We are so happy to have an Argentine pope who is humble, calm, intelligent and concerned about everyone. I think that there are going to be big changes in the country. I think that he is going to transmit peace and harmony which is what we Argentines need. It is truly emotional to be here," said homemaker Mariana O'Connor.
    For the faithful, the new pontiff represents a renewed hope in peace and harmony.

    "It's as if our faith has been reborn, the faith and love of Jesus. He is an exemplary pastor. I think he is a symbol of love and of service," said Adriana Bignolli, a teacher.
    Catholic Ana Bratanich said she felt there was something different about the man now at the helm of the Church.

    "I think he's is someone who can achieve many things. He is a very special human being. You can see that he is coming from a different place, he has touched me and I don't believe in these things. The truth is that it's great. For me it's a special moment and we have to enjoy it," said Bratanich.
    Francis inherits a Church mired in scandals over priests' sexual abuse of children and the leak of confidential documents alleging corruption and rivalry between cardinals inside the Church government or Curia.
    He has also been accused by some critics in Argentina of not doing enough to oppose human rights abuses under a military government during the 1976-1983 "dirty war" when some 30,000 leftists were kidnapped and killed. The Vatican has strongly denied the accusations.
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