Monday 8 April 2013

The Lateran Basilica

The Pope is handed his Pastoral Staff as Bishop of Rome.
On the Octave Day of Easter, Pope Francis took possession of the Lateran Basilica, his Cathedral as Bishop of Rome. The Pope concelebrated the Mass with priests of the Diocese of Rome at the ancient basilica. These photographs illustrate the occasion.

Pope Francis chose to use the Pastoral Staff of his predecessors Paul VI and the Blessed John Paul II.

These photographs are the copyright of Getty Images and Alessandra Benedetti.



At the Cathedra of S' John Lateran.
No celebrant other than the Pope may sit at this throne.

The Papal Staff of Pope Paul VI.

Blessing with the Evangelarium

During the Preface.

At the Doxology.