Pope Francis opens ministry with installation Mass

Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran places the papal Pallium on Pope Francis during his inaugural Mass, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Pope Francis has officially begun his ministry as the 266th pope, receiving the ring symbolizing the papacy and a wool stole symbolizing his role as shepherd of his 1.2-billion strong flock. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis has officially begun his ministry as the 266th pope, receiving the ring symbolizing the papacy and a wool stole symbolizing his role as shepherd of his 1.2-billion strong flock.

A cardinal intoned the rite of inauguration at the start of Tuesday’s Mass, saying “The Good Shepherd charged Peter to feed his lambs and his sheep; today you succeed him as the bishop of this church.”

Later, a half-dozen cardinals approached the Argentine-born pope to vow their obedience.

The installation occurred in sun-drenched St. Peter’s Square before tens of thousands of people, princes, sheiks, rabbis and presidents.