South Asia

Groups from Italy and across the world have been arriving since early morning. The pope phoned Buenos Aires, to faithful gathered to follow the Mass on Live TV. Hundreds of delegations from around the world. The first time for Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, under a mild and warm sun.

Torchlight processions and prayer vigils across the country. The celebrations also attended by many non-Christians. The call for new pope to pray for Nepal hit by poverty, economic and institutional crisis.

Mass for the inauguration of the pontificate. Francis speaks of "service" and "protecting", "tenderness" and "humility" and "constant presence" and "respect for all of God's creatures and the environment in which we live" and, in the end, asks "the politicians of the world to protect" God's plan ". 132 delegations from across the world, with 33 representing other churches and religions. Tenderness is not the virtue of the weak, on the contrary, it denotes strength of mind and ability to focus, compassion, genuine openness to others, and love.

Each Friday during Lent, the pupils of Uchchamunai Island's primary school (Western Province) re-enact the Via Crucis. They do it on their own because they do not have permanent teachers. Local residents are all Tamil Catholics and Mass is held only once a month.

For the first time since the Cold War, China overtakes Britain in terms of arms sales. Between 2008 and 2012, Chinese exports rose 162 per cent over the previous five years, with Pakistan as its main customer.

During a sober ceremony, wearing simple vestments, the pope shows his closeness to children and the sick. Despite their differences, both Francis and Benedict XVI are profoundly united. Insisting on the need to protect creation and preserve the human habitat, the Pope Francis calls on the powerful to choose between good and evil, without relativism. He calls for less bureaucracy and more witness and mission, talks to Taiwan's president and an Iranian minister.

Markets, dropping to almost 3%, fear a worsening of the debt crisis. Tax on bank deposits up to 9.9%. In Cyprus ATMs empty and banks closed. "The same will soon take place in Italy and Europe, then in the United States and the Far East." According to the BSC, in 2011 the excess of total debt was 20 trillion dollars. Even then a 30% levy on total assets was suggested.

The archbishop of Mumbai, who took part in Conclave describes the "blessing and joy" of Pope Bergoglio’s election. Prayer, the urgency of New Evangelization and teaching of Benedict XVI essential in choice of successor of Peter. Confident there will be a papal trip to Asia and India.

A life marked by painful losses she approached Christ. Then she met a Catholic, now her husband, and she began the catechumenate. "I sought God in every moment." She will be baptized at Easter.

As pope, Francis will have the same coat of arms and motto as he did as cardinal. The fisherman's ring is made of silver and gold. Tomorrow's ceremony will begin at Saint Peter's tomb. Today the pope had lunch with the Argentine president.

The pontiff holds his first public Mass in the church of Vatican City, delivering a brief and simple homily without a prepared text. At the end, he personally said goodbye to parishioners. The auxiliary bishop and some priests from the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires were present at the Mass, including a clergyman working with street kids and drug addicts. Today's homily was centred on mercy, the Lord's and the Church's "strongest message".

The pope reminds people that mercy is God's patience. "If God didn't forgive everything, the world wouldn't exist." The pope cites Card Kasper's book and an elderly Buenos Aires woman's for wisdom. He gives his blessing without chanting, and ends the Angelus, saying, "Have a nice Sunday and a good lunch!"