Crowd ... Pope Francis waves to the faithful
He was mobbed as he greeted admirers and kissed children, and several times, as more people reached out, smiled and pointed to the plastic watch on his wrist to signal that he had to go inside to say Mass.
After the service he stood outside the church like a simple parish priest and greeted each person as they came out.
Humble ... Francis walks to give a sermon at the tiny church of Santa Anna
He then went up into the Vatican apartments where he delivered the Angelus prayer from the balcony.
His predecessor Benedict XVI gave his last window blessing from the same balcony on February 24, four days before he retired.
Whereas previous popes have greeted the faithful in several languages, Francis spoke only in Italian — beginning with “buon giorno” (good day) and ending with “buon pranzo” (have a good lunch).
His humour and comments about God's power to forgive delighted the cheering crowd of more than 150,000 who packed into Rome's St Peter’s Square.
Holy See of people ... thousands streaming towards St Peter's Square in Rome
Many were waving the blue and white flag of the Pope's homeland.
Ivana Cabello, 23, from Argentina said: “We are so proud. He is Argentine, but also belongs to the rest of the world.”
Edgardo Chapur, 42, an Argentine in Rome for first time, said it was very “emotional” to come to St Peter’s Square to listen to Francis.
He said: “It’s fantastic for us. I think it can change a lot of things in Argentina. It gives us hope. It has given us new strength.”
POPE Francis delighted a crowd of 150,000 on his first Sunday balcony appearance — when he wished them a "good lunch".
The Argentine — elected on Wednesday — showed his more informal style as he delivered funny off-the-cuff remarks instead of reading from a written speech.
Earlier he caused his bodyguards to sweat when he stepped outside a Vatican side-gate to greet a boisterous crowd of well-wishers.
<< Informal ... pontiff is mobbed as he greets well-wishers
Francis said Sunday morning Mass in the small church of Santa Anna, just a few feet inside the gate of the same name, which is the parish church for Vatican staff.
After arriving in a black car he immediately went over to hundreds of people who had gathered at the gate to get a glimpse of him.
Yahoo Reports
After arriving in a black car he immediately went over to hundreds of people who had gathered at the gate to get a glimpse of him.
Yahoo Reports
