March 14, 2013. (Romereports.com)  “May God forgive you what you've done,” were the worlds newly elected Pope Francis told fellow cardinals over dinner, soon after his election and first appearance as Pope.



They bore witness to the humility of the first Latin American and Jesuit Pontiff. It also reflected a new approach to the papacy.

For his introduction, Francis chose a plain white cassock, and he kept the same crucifix he used as archbishop of Buenos Aires, instead of the gold one set aside for Popes. To get back to Santa Marta, he refused any special treatment.

FEDERICO LOMBARDI
Vatican Spokesperson
 “There was a car with the plates SCV number 1, specifically for the Pope, and instead he returned on board the bus, with all of the other bishops, the cardinals.”

Just hours after being elected, the Pope made his first visit outside the Vatican to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. He again refused a large security team, opting only for one small car to take him there.

On they way back he stopped at the Casa del Clero, where he had staying before the conclave.

FR. FEDERICO LOMBARDI
Vatican Spokesperson
“There, he picked up his bags, said hi to the staff, and he paid his bill. He wanted to set a good example. Then he returned to Santa Marta.”

For now the Pope will remain in Santa Marta, but today he removed the locks on the papal apartment. Workers will begin to get it ready for his arrival.

Asked about the new pontiff's election, the Vatican spokesperson, Federico Lombardi, said he was elated when he found out a fellow Jesuit was elected Pope.

FR. FEDERICO LOMBARDI
Vatican Spokesperson
 “For me, he's a Jesuit who was issued a very special mission that no other Jesuit in history has received.”

Answering questions about whether security would be a problem for Pope Francis' simpler ways of doing things, Lombardi recalled that it was not an issue for another Pope with asimilarstyle, John Paul II.


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