Crowds flock to installation Mass

(Vatican Radio) Hundreds of thousands of people are expected in St Peter’s Square this morning for the installation Mass of Pope Francis. Just under a week after he was elected to the Papacy, Pope Francis will preside over his installation mass in St Peter’s Square at 9.30 Rome time.

Already Rome was on the move early this morning with people grabbing their last coffee before heading to St Peter’s Square to be part of the celebration,

Faithful, priests, religious and members of the Diplomatic Corps weaved their way down the streets towards the Vatican to take up their places.

The area around the Vatican City has ground to a halt with traffic diversions in place. Civil authorities are on the streets to direct the crowds and Italy’s Red Cross is on hand in the event of any incidents.
The world’s media which had been covering the Conclave are also out in force to cover this event and security is tight.
Among those attending the Pope’s installation Mass are six sovereigns, US Vice President Joe Biden, and Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez.

Religious leaders in attendance will include the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew from
Istanbul.

Listen to Lydia O’Kane’s report