Thousands join Delhi Mass for new pope The Mass was led by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio.

Thousands join Delhi Mass for new pope

The Mass was led by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio.

By Bijay Kumar Minj
New Delhi:  Thousands joined a thanksgiving Mass at New Delhi Sacred heart Cathedral to pray for Pope Francis as the newly elected pontiff formally took office on Tuesday.

Apostolic Nuncio to India Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio led the Mass said Pope Francis "is a peoples’ pope and a very revered pastor, hence his experience will help in his ministry.”

He was joined in the Mass by Archbishop Albert D' Souza of Agra, Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi, Malankara Bishop Jacob Mar Barnabas, Archbishop Emeritus Vincent M Concessao of Delhi and Auxiliary Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Delhi.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and the archdiocese of Delhi jointly organized the Mass. Hundreds of priests, nuns, politicians and foreign dignitaries also attended it.

Pope Francis, formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, was a surprise choice of cardinals to replace 85-year-old Benedict XVI, who resigned last month on health grounds.

The thanksgiving Mass coincided with the inaugural ceremony Pope Francis at the Vatican. The pope had said he chose his papal name in honor of the Italian saint St Francis of Assisi and has called for a “Church of the poor, for the poor."

Auxiliary Bishop Franco Mulakkal expressed hope that the "new pope will build bridges of love and peace among all people even those who don’t know Jesus.”

"People may look at him as a messenger of peace and love," Bishop Mulakkal said.

K.V. Thomas, a Catholic and federal minister, said papacy is seen as the foundation of peace and love and “I hope it will reflect to all in the world" especially with the new pope.

“We have great hope in the new pope,” he said while addressing the gathering inside the cathedral soon after the Mass.
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Bishop Sunil Singh of the Church of North India said, “I hope the new pope who advocates love and peace will bring closer all faiths.”

Mary John, a women leader, said she expects the new pope to address some serious issues like sexual abuse, abortion, and euthanasia.