Vatican City, May 8, 2005 / 22:00 pm
On Friday, Pope Benedict XVI formally took possession of St. John Lateran Cathedral, confirming his position as Bishop of the Diocese of Rome.
Some forty cardinals, members of the diocesan episcopal council, canons of the Lateran Basilica and the council of pastor prefects concelebrated Mass at the Basilica with the Holy Father.
Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general of the diocese of Rome, opened the celebration, expressing his joy as Rome received her new pastor. The Pope then sat in his “cathedra”, literally “chair” for the first time as the choir and congregation sang: "Joy, peace and life to you Benedict, bishop of Rome."
The Pope then received expressions of "obedience" from a representatives of the Roman Church, including, Cardinal Ruini in his capacity as archpriest of the basilica of St. John Lateran; Archbishop Luigi Moretti, vicegerent of the diocese; two priests; a permanent deacon and a deacon preparing for the priesthood.