Pope Francis officially began his papacy as the 266th pontiff today in an installation Mass simplified to suit his style, but still grand enough to draw princes, presidents, rabbis, muftis and thousands of ordinary people to St Peter’s Square to witness the inauguration of the first Pope from the New World.

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.

There was surprise and delight in Ireland when the Archbishop of Buenos Aires was announced as the new leader of the world’s 1.2bn Catholics.