Vatican City, Mar 19, 2013 / 09:55 am
After asking Argentinians not to come to Rome and give to the poor instead, Pope Francis called a large gathering to tell them he loves them and needs their prayers.
"Do not forget this bishop who is far but loves you a lot" and "pray for me" were the last words of the message he delivered with a 3:30 a.m. telephone call.
Thousands of his countrymen gathered at the Plaza de Mayo in the country's capital, Buenos Aires, to watch his installation Mass on huge television screens placed across the cathedral.
"I know you are in the square. I know you are praying, and I need your prayers a lot," said Pope Francis on May 19, just two hours before the Mass in Rome was set to begin.