THE INSTALLATION MASS OF POPE FRANCIS GETS UNDERWAY.............

The Liturgy of Installation for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, is getting underway and the Mass is of the Solemnity of St. Joseph.  The Holy Father is wearing the Mitre he brought with him from Argentina, wearing a matching Chasuble.  Prior to coming out onto St. Peter's Square for the start of his Installation Mass, Pope Francis visited and prayed at the Tomb of St. Peter, whose 266th Successor, as the Vicar of Christ, he is.  There he received the Pallium and the Fisherman's Ring, before being joined by the Cardinals, Patriarchs, and Archbishops, in the procession out of the Basilica onto St. Peter's Square.  Upwards of 1 million people are reported to be present.  The Scola (choir) is singing in prayer for Pope Francis and will transition into a Litany of the Canonized Popes, from +Cletus, in the 1st Century of Christianity to +Pius X, in the 20th Century.  Today's Mass opening procession is a distance the size of two football fields from inside the sanctuary of the Basilica to outside the front doors and the Altar of Sacrifice set up in the Square.............tdp