"At Inaugural Mass, Pope Francis Calls for Defending Environment, Poor"

"VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis issued a powerful call for the protection of the environment and of society’s most vulnerable during his formal installation Mass at the Vatican, while qualifying his papal power as a 'service' to the church and to humanity."

"The pope on Tuesday (March 19) celebrated a solemn Mass in St. Peter’s Square in front of an estimated 200,000 people, as well as political and religious leaders from all over the world. ...

In his homily, delivered in Italian, Francis described the church’s mission as 'respecting each of God’s creatures and respecting the environment in which we live.'"

Alessandro Speciale reports for Religion News Service March 19, 2013.