Category: +PopeFrancis

The Weekly Francis – 17 March 2013

Pope Francis is having his "Inaugural Mass"? What's happens in this Mass, and why is it important?This is the inaugural version of “The Weekly Francis” which contains the writings, speeches, etc from our new Holy Father.

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week from 13 March 2013 – 17 March 2013 (subscribe here; get as an eBook version for your Kindle, iPod, iPad, Nook, or other eBook reader):

List of direct document links on Vatican.va used.

Homilies

Speeches

Papal Tweets

Dear friends, I thank you from my heart and I ask you to continue to pray for me.Pope Francis.@pontifex, 17 March 2013

Urbi et Orbi

The eBook version of The Weekly Francis

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

Pope Francis is having his "Inaugural Mass"? What happens in this Mass, and why is it important?

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.

 

Paul VI is coronated with the papal tiara. He was the last pope to use this rite.

3. How did this rite develop?

KEEP READING.