By abandoning much of the baroque pomp of his predecessor Benedict, the new pope has already won many admirers, write Philip Pullella and Catherine Hornby

Pope Francis has been praised for his warm relations with other faiths, ahead of today’s papal installation ceremony.

Pope Francis’s diplomatic skills were put to the test yesterday as he met with Argentine president Cristina Kirchner, with whom he has clashed over her socially liberal policies and what he has called the government’s strident displays of power.

Pope Francis’ diplomatic skills are being tested in his first audience with a visiting head of state - Argentine president Cristina Kirchner, with whom he clashed over her socially liberal policies.

Serbian President Boris Tadic today met with Pope Benedict XVI and said he hoped the pontiff could visit the country “very soon,” but said certain pre-conditions had to be negotiated first with the Serbian Orthodox Church.