Pope Francis' Inauguration on St. Joseph Solemnity

March 19, 2013 ang araw ng Inauguration o pormal na pagsisimula ng Petrine ministry ni Pope Francis. Magandang petsa ito dahil ito ang Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Si San Jose ang Patron ng the Universal Church. Ang Santo Papa naman ang Pastor and Visible Head of the Universal Church.

Bandang 8:45 AM (Vatican time) ay dadaan si Pope Francis ng St. Peter's Square, papasok sa St. Peter's Basilica at tutungo sa libingan ni San Pedro Apostol na nasa ilalim ng altar. Sa saliw ng "Tu es Petrus" at kasama ang mga Patriarchs at mga Arsobispo ng Eastern Rite Catholic Churches ay sandaling gagawin ni Pope Francis ang veneration at pananalangin sa harap ng tomb ng unang pope.

Highlight ng Inauguration ang pagbibigay ng pallium kay Pope Francis. Si Cardinal Protodeacon Tauran, ang nag-announce ng "Habemus Papam" noon, ang siya ring magbibigay ng pallium kay Pope. Susundan ito ng isang panalangin to be recited by Cardinal Proto-presbyter Daneels. Si Cardinal Sodano naman ang magbibigay ng Fisherman's Ring kay Pope Francis.

Ang pallium na gawa sa wool ay simbolo ng pagiging pastol na katulad ni Jesus, ang Mabuting Pastol. Ang Fisherman's Ring naman ay isang paalala na ang unang Papang si San Pedro ay tinawag ni Jesus upang maging "fisher of men'.

Mahalagang bahagi rin ng Inauguration ang "Act of Obedience", na isang pagpapangako ng pagsunod sa Santo Papa bilang Supreme Pontiff.

Ang Inaugural Mass ay ang Misa para sa Solemnity of Saint Joseph pa rin.

Habemvs Papam! Cardinal Bergoglio is Pope Francis!

After white smoke arose from the Sistine Chapel, the whole world awaited to see the new Supreme Pontiff. Cardinal Protodeacon Jean-Louis Tauran, gave the announcement: "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: habemus papam!" He continued to announce amidst cheers that the Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a Jesuit, has chosen the name Francis.

Pope Francis, appearing on the balcony of St. Peter's, then gave his message urbi et orbi. He prayed the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be, together with the assembly, for his immediate predecessor Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Then, before he gave his Apostolic Blessing, his first as pope, he asked everyone to pray for God's blessing upon him. This was a touching request which everyone granted in a solemn silence.

Those who received his Apostolic Blessing, even through the media, receives a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions of Sacramental Confession, Holy Communion and prayer for the pope's intention.

The following prayer is also indulgenced. Let us continue praying for Pope Francis!

V. Let us pray for our Sovereign Pontiff Pope Francis.

R. The Lord preserve him and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. (partial indulgence)

Our Father. Hail Mary.

Let us pray.

O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Francis, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Pope Francis is the 266th Vicar of Christ.