Pope Leo declared himself a Roman, completing the last rites confirming his status as Bishop of Rome.
The first American pope officially took over the pulpit at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome and seat of the diocese, celebrating Sunday evening Mass with Roman priests and parishioners.
He then rode the popemobile to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he prayed at the tomb of Pope Francis and before the icon of the Virgin Mary, which is beloved by many Roman believers.
In his sermon, Leo expressed his desire to listen to them, “to learn, understand and solve problems together.”
One of the many titles Leo assumed after his election on May 8 was that of Bishop of Rome.
Given his responsibilities for governing the universal Catholic Church, which numbers 1.4 billion believers, popes delegate the day-to-day management of the Roman diocese to a vicar.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
