In his first day as leader of the Catholic church, Pope Francis left the Vatican grounds in a car that wasn't a limousine and proceeded to a nearby hotel to pick up his luggage and pay the bill for the room he occupied over the last several days.
The pope also prayed and, along the way, waved to passing children before arriving at the Vila della Scrofa.
"He decided to stop at the Via della Scrofa, the Priests' Residence, right near Piazza navona. He wanted to get his luggage and his bags," Vatican spokesman Thomas Rosica told reporters Thursday.
The Vatican says a trip planned to visit his predecessor, Benedict XVI, was rescheduled for another day. Instead, Pope Francis spent time preparing for his first mass in the Sistine Chapel before his cardinal electors and a crowd, which watched mass on large TVs placed in St. Peter's Square.
As he presided over mass, another first for the first Pope Francis, he said his homily in Italian instead of the traditional Latin.
The Vatican urged people not to try to determine what the new pope's priorities were based on one homily alone, but to instead reflect on his first few.
Timothy Cardinal Dolan of New York on Thursday said Pope Francis will provide a booster shot to the church in the Americas.
"Where he comes from is gravy, and we got a lot of good gravy with a man coming now from Latin American. You're talking about a booster shot to the church in the Americas. This is going to be a real blessing," Cardinal Dolan said.
Monday, March 11 2013 11:38 AM EDT2013-03-11 15:38:14 GMT
The congregation of cardinals is scheduled to meet Monday to discuss preliminary work and church agendas as they draw closer to scheduling a date for selecting a new pope, FOX News reports.
The congregation of cardinals is scheduled to meet Monday to discuss preliminary work and church agendas as they draw closer to scheduling a date for selecting a new pope, FOX News reports.
Monday, March 11 2013 11:37 AM EDT2013-03-11 15:37:42 GMT
On the day that Pope Benedict XVI stepped down-- the first pope to resign his position in 600 years-- Catholics in Philadelphia thanked God for his service, and prayed for his successor.
On the day that Pope Benedict XVI stepped down-- the first pope to resign his position in 600 years-- Catholics in Philadelphia thanked God for his service, and prayed for his successor.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:38:13 GMT
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:23 GMT
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries.
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries here and make their getaway.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:08:49 GMT
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.If you were lucky enough to get outside Friday, to a place like the Perkiomen
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:01 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:01:38 GMT
Police are investigating a bizarre confrontation at a local elementary school. The alleged combatants were a grown woman and an 11-year-old girl. Some of the details are still a little twisted, reports
Police are investigating a bizarre confrontation at a local elementary school. The alleged combatants were a grown woman and an 11-year-old girl.
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Pope Francis celebrates his first mass at the Sistine Chapel in Rome.
