Expectations high for Pope Francis ahead of inauguration

Catherine Shanahan reports on how the ‘man of the people’ is viewed in Rome by Irish members of religious orders

Fr Paul Smyth, whose parents are from Co Longford, is vicar general with the Claretian Missionaries and is based in Rome. He believes the decision by the previous pope, Benedict, to resign, was his final gift to the Church.

This photo of the crowd waiting for #PopeFrancis to emerge is insane! #Pope pic.twitter.com/YULczQWEkW

— Keen Eye (@MartinBerthelot) March 14, 2013