Behind the Scenes at the Inauguration Mass of Pope Francis

About the Author: Phillip Assis serves as a Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See.

It is a unique privilege to serve as a diplomat at the Vatican. From last week’s announcement of ‘habemus papam,’ which proclaimed to the world that a new pope had been selected by the conclave of cardinals – to his first appearance on the balcony in St. Peter’s square – to yesterday’s mass of accession – the election of Pope Francis has been a highlight of my time at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See. Early yesterday morning, our embassy staff met inside Vatican City to wait for Vice President Biden and the Congressional delegation to arrive, watching as motorcades dropped off heads of state, princes, and kings from all over the world. There, behind the scenes, the stage was being set for a historic event, an inauguration following the first papal resignation in 600 years. 

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(Source: blogs.state.gov)