Rome, Italy, Apr 7, 2013 / 09:50 am
Pope Francis took possession of his cathedral as Bishop of Rome and spoke about how God's mercy and patience should challenge everyone to find the courage to accept his love.
"Dear brothers and sisters," he began his homily, "let us be enveloped by the mercy of God; let us trust in his patience, which always gives us more time. Let us find the courage to return to his house, to dwell in his loving wounds, allowing ourselves be loved by him and to encounter his mercy in the sacraments."
The Pope's installation in the "cathedra" or seat in St. John Lateran Basilica at around 5:30 p.m. on April 7 signaled that he is now officially taking up his duties as the Bishop of Rome.
When he arrived at the basilica, Pope Francis first participated in the renaming of a small section of the square outside of the church, which went from being St. John Lateran to Blessed John Paul II Square.