MANILA, Philippines – A Mass inaugurated the papacy of Pope Francis on Tuesday, March 19, with elaborate rituals that symbolize the 266th pontiff’s ties to St Peter, who is believed to be the first pope of the Catholic Church.

Called a “coronation” before the late John Paul I made it more austere, the Mass Inaugurating the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome began at 4:30 pm (Philippine time). (Read: Pope’s 1st clarion call: Protect creation.)

What symbols inaugurated the new Pope’s leadership of over 1.2 billion Catholics?

Rappler explains 3 of these, which Francis adapted to a “poor Church for the poor,” the thrust of the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff. 

1. Pallium: Sheep on his shoulders

Before the Mass, Francis received the pallium, a vestment made of lamb’s wool and sheep’s wool that, according to the Vatican, recalls “the Good Shepherd who carries the lost sheep on his shoulders.”

The Pope’s pallium has 5 red crosses to symbolize the 5 major wounds of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Nails piercing 3 of these crosses symbolize the nails used to crucify Christ.

Francis’ pallium is the same pallium that his predecessor, Benedict XVI, used. This emphasizes continuity with Benedict’s papacy.

Cardinal proto-deacon Jean-Louis Tauran placed the pallium on the Pope’s shoulders. Following this, Cardinal proto-presbyter Godfried Danneels recited the following prayer:

“May the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep, bestow upon you the Pallium taken from the Tomb of the Apostle Peter.

“The Good Shepherd charged Peter to feed his lambs and his sheep; today you succeed him as the Bishop of this Church to which he and the Apostle Paul were fathers in faith.

“May the Spirit of Truth, who proceeds from the Father, grant you his abundant gifts of wisdom and eloquence in the ministry of confirming your brethren in the unity of faith.”

2. Fisherman’s Ring: Peter’s successor

The Pope then received his Fisherman’s Ring, which bears the image of St Peter holding the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Catholics believe the Pope is the 265th successor of St Peter, a fisherman tasked to lead the first apostles of Jesus.

Francis, who is known for his simplicity, has chosen to use an old gold-plated silver ring, instead of a ring customized for him.

The dean of the College of Cardinals, Angelo Sodano, recited the following prayer:

“Most Holy Father, may Christ, the Son of the living God, the shepherd and guardian of our souls, who built his Church upon rock, grant you the ring, the seal of Peter the Fisherman, who put his hope in him on the sea of Galilee, and to whom the Lord Jesus entrusted the keys of the Kingdom of heaven.

“Today you succeed the Blessed Apostle Peter as the Bishop of this Church which presides over the unity of charity, as the Blessed Apostle Paul has taught. May the Spirit of charity, poured into our hearts, grant you the gentleness and strength to preserve, through your ministry, all those who believe in Christ in unity and fellowship.”

3. Coat of Arms: ‘Lowly but chosen’

The Vatican has also revealed the coat of arms, as well as motto, of the new Pope.

His coat of arms is composed of the following elements:

• Shield with a bright blue background with the letters “IHS” – Used as a logo of the Jesuits, “IHS” represents Jesus Christ
• Star – Symbol for Mary, Mother of Christ and the Catholic Church
• Nard flower – Symbol for Joseph, patron of the Universal Church whose feast is also celebrated Tuesday
• Motto – “Miserando atque eligendo,” which means “lowly but chosen,” or literally in Latin, “because he saw him through the eyes of mercy and chose him”

Hundreds of world leaders, including the Philippines’ Vice President Jejomar Binay, witnessed the inauguration of the so-called “pope of firsts.”

(Follow the wholte ritual through the Vatican’s guide that is embedded below)

– Rappler.com