adminThe pope’s inauguration was attended by President Mugabe and the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe, who joined several Heads of State and Government in witnessing the event.
The President and the First Lady were joined by their two children Bona and Chatunga.
President Mugabe was standing next to Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé Eyadema as the mass leading to the inauguration started at exactly 9.45am local time.
The inauguration attracted at least 31 world leaders, according to the Vatican, which also estimated that between 150 000 and 200 000 people attended the event.
But it was joy for the local catholics who dedicated yesterday’s lunch time prayers to their new leader.
“There was a mass celebrated in the main centres throughout the country, praying for the success of the new pope,” said Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference secretary general Father Fredrick Chiromba.
“There was mention of his name at every mass which was held today (yesterday).”
Speaking at his inauguration, Pope Francis 1 called for the protection of nature and the weak.
As the new pope conducted his church service in Spanish, his delivery was sometimes subdued by cheers from the congregation.
Thousands of journalists thronged the venue and photographers and cameramen had a tough day in the office as there was not enough space to carry out their job.
Several of the journalists asked for an interview with President Mugabe.
Even the light showers that had been falling the previous day had given way to the sun, giving photo journalists favourable conditions to carry out their jobs.
There had been strong fears the previous day that if the light showers continued, journalists would have a torrid time carrying out their job as they were operating from an open space.
Over 3 000 security personnel were hired for the event.
Pope Francis 1, who is the first to use that name in the history of the Catholic Church, was elected last week by over 160 cardinals to become the first non-European head of the Church.
Formerly Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos-Aires, the new pope has been widely welcomed by the catholic faithful worldwide, in particular his stated intention to re-focus the church on the poor.
Pope Francis 1 succeeds Pope Benedict XVI, 85, who resigned abruptly last month citing failing health and advanced age.
He takes over at a particularly difficult time, with debate raging within the church over a range of issues, including allowing priests to marry, ordaining women as priests, same sex marriages, the Church’s refusal to sanction use of contraceptives and sexual abuse of minors by the clergy.
But Argentine Pope Francis 1 has already called for sweeping changes in the church, including an urge for the church to return to humble Christian values.
He is likely to face strong opposition from the conservative wing of the church which is opposed to the growing calls for reform and modernisation.
Online Reporter