Pope Francis Inauguration Mass held at the Vatican

The inauguration Mass for Pope Francis has been held in St Peter's Square in Rome, marking the start of his papacy.

Francis earlier toured the square in an open-topped vehicle, descending to bless pilgrims behind the barriers.

His homily called on global leaders and all people of the world to protect the weak and the poor. Tens of thousands of pilgrims attended the Mass.

Francis was elected by a conclave of cardinals last week to take over from Benedict XVI.

Benedict became the first pontiff in 600 years to abdicate last month. Citing his age, 85, he said he could no longer continue in the post.

‪NEW POPE: Cardinal Jorge Mario ‪Bergoglio from ‪Argentina elected as the leader of the ‪Catholic Church. He will be known as ‪Pope Francis the first.

Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio has been elected the Roman Catholic Church's new Pope.

The first Latin American to be Pope, he will call himself Francis I.

An hour earlier, white smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel chimney announced to the world that cardinals gathered inside had made their choice.

Cardinal Bergoglio replaces Benedict XVI, who resigned last month saying he was not strong enough to lead the Church.

The 115 cardinals have been in isolation since Tuesday afternoon, and held four inconclusive votes.

Cardinals resume Papal deliberations as Conclave Continues today.

Cardinals are due to begin their second day of deliberations in the Vatican conclave that will elect a new pope, after reaching no decision on Tuesday.

The 115 cardinal-electors are shut off in the Sistine Chapel until two-thirds agree on a leader for the world's 1.2bn Catholics.

Black smoke signalling an inconclusive first vote drew cheers from crowds in St Peter's Square on Tuesday evening.

There is no clear frontrunner to replace Pope Benedict XVI.

The 85-year-old stepped down last month, saying he was no longer strong enough to lead the Church, which is beset by problems ranging from a worldwide scandal over child sex abuse to allegations of corruption at the Vatican Bank.

Who's Gonna be The Next Pope as Conclave Begins

Cardinals have entered the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, where they will begin voting to elect a new Pope.

The 115 cardinal-electors were locked in the chapel after swearing an oath of secrecy.

They will vote four times daily until two-thirds can agree on a candidate.

The election was prompted by the surprise abdication of Benedict XVI. There is no clear frontrunner to take over from him as head of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Vatican: Conclave To Elect Pope To Begin On Tuesday

Roman Catholic cardinals will start their conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI on March 12, the Vatican says.

The secret vote to elect a new Pope is set to begin next Tuesday at the Vatican.

The Vatican press office said the decision was taken during a vote Friday afternoon of the College of Cardinals.

Only Cardinals who are under the age of 80 - 115 of them - can take part in the election, which is held behind locked doors in the Sistine Chapel.

Potential Pope: WHO takes Over from Benedict XVI?

With Pope Benedict XVI now officially in retirement, Catholic cardinals from around the world begin on Friday the complex, cryptic and uncertain process of picking the next leader of the world's largest church. 



Some details are still unclear, owing to Benedict's break with the tradition that papacies end with a pope's death, so these "princes of the Church" will first hold an informal session before traditional rounds of talks begin on Monday.



No front-runner stands out among the 115 cardinal electors - those aged under 80 - due to enter the Sistine Chapel for the conclave that picks the new pope, so discreetly sizing up potential candidates will be high on the cardinals' agenda.