THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Pope Francis has thanked thousands of journalists who covered his election as pontiff this week during an audience in the Vatican.
The former archbishop of Buenos Aires, dressed in white vestments, was greeted by applause and cheers of "Viva il Papa" when he entered the Paul VI Hall.
He spoke from a broad stage, flanked by Swiss Guards in ceremonial uniform. The new Pope called for "a poor Church for the poor", saying he chose his papal name because St Francis of Assisi was "a man of poverty and a man of peace".
The special audience was being billed by the Vatican as part of the greater openness that has characterised the first days in office of the former Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first pope from Latin America.
The 76-year-old pontiff has displayed an informal style that contrasts sharply with that of his more academic predecessor Benedict XVI.
Under the simple slogan of "walk, build, confess" and speaking in a folksy Italian, he has urged Catholic leaders to shun worldly glories and lead a spiritual renewal in the Church that will reach "the ends of the earth".
The son of an Italian emigrant railway worker, he has warned them that without action the Church could end up becoming a "castle of sand" and just a charity with no spiritual foundation. » | Nick Squires, Vatican City, and agencies | Saturday, March 16, 2013
