In Pictures: Pope Francis' inauguration

In his address to the nearly 200,000 pilgrims the newly elected pope promised to embrace the “poorest, the weakest” of humanity.

HUGE CROWDS GATHERED in St Peter’s Square, Vatican City, for the inauguration of Pope Francis.

In his address to the nearly 200,000 pilgrims, who waved flags from around the world, the newly elected pope promised to embrace the “poorest, the weakest” of humanity and that his would be a “lowly, concrete and faithful” papacy.

He also urged world economic and political leaders not to “allow omens of destruction and death to accompany the advance of this world!”

The 76-year-old also received leaders from around the world in St Peter’s Basilica, including controversial heads of state like Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou.

Here is his inauguration in pictures:

In Pictures: Pope Francis' inauguration

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Pope Francis' Inauguration
Pope Francis celebrates his installation Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Tuesday, March 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
Pope Francis waves as he arrives in St. Peter's Square for his inauguration Mass at the Vatican, Tuesday, March 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
Pope Francis gives the thumbs up to the crowd. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou, center, and his wife Chow Mei-chin, right. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
Some of the faithful pray inside the Metropolitan Cathedral before Pope Francis installation Mass in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
Crowds fill St. Peter's Square to attend the inauguration Mass for Pope Francis at the Vatican, Tuesday, March 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
Priests pray during the Mass for the inauguration of Pope Francis. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
Ecuador's President Rafael Correa, right, attends Pope Francis' installation Mass. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
Pope Francis waves to crowds. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
Pope Francis celebrates Mass during his inauguration. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
Pope Francis blesses a child in St. Peter's Square. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
German Chancellor Angela Merkel leaves after attending Pope Francis' installation Mass in St. Peter's Square. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
Pope Francis wave to the crowd in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
Dutch Prince Willem-Alexander, left, Prince Felipe of Spain and Princess Letizia. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez, right, greets Ecuador's President Rafael Correa. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano sits beside his wife Clio and President of the Italian Senate Pietro Grasso as they attend Pope Francis' installation Mass. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
Pope Francis walks past the alter in front of St. Peter's Basilica in St. Peter's Square. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
Nuns walk through a tunnel leading towards St. Peter's Square to attend the inauguration of Pope Francis at the Vatican. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Pope Francis' Inauguration
A cardinal sits in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Additional reporting © AFP, 2013

Read: World leaders flock to Rome for Pope Francis’ inauguration >

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Amy Croffey

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