9 things you need to know about Pope Francis’s inaugural Mass

On Tuesday, March 19, Pope Francis will participate in his inauguration Mass.

If he hasn’t been inaugurated, is he pope yet?

If he is pope, why is this called is “inauguration” Mass?

Here are 9 things you need to know.

1. Is Pope Francis already Pope, if he isn’t “inaugurated”?

Yes. According to the Code of Canon Law:

Can. 332 §1. The Roman Pontiff obtains full and supreme power in the Church by his acceptance of legitimate election together with episcopal consecration. Therefore, a person elected to the supreme pontificate who is marked with episcopal character obtains this power from the moment of acceptance. If the person elected lacks episcopal character, however, he is to be ordained a bishop immediately.

This means that if the man elected pope is already a bishop (as Pope Francis was) then he becomes pope from the moment he accepts his election.

That happened during the conclave, and so Pope Francis is already, truly the pope.

2. Then why is he having an “inaugural Mass”?

Although “Mass of inauguration” or “inaugural Mass” is a common way of describing this event, it does not mean that he gains any office, power, or authority with this Mass.

It’s just a way of commemorating his entrance into office–rather like an inaugural ball held after someone becomes president, except it is a sacred rather than a secular celebration.