All eyes on Rome ahead of papal inauguration

Aside from the barricades that criss-crossed St Peter’s Square, there was little to hint that a new leader of the Catholic Church was due to be installed in Rome today.

Battered by the rain and bruised by wayward umbrellas, it was business as usual for the thousands of pilgrims heading towards the basilica yesterday.

Many paused at its towering front doors to take in the sweeping view Pope Francis will command today during his inauguration ceremony.

What is known as the Holy Mass for the Beginning of the Petrine Ministry begins at 9.30am, but not before Pope Francis has first moved through the crowds in the piazza, either in a jeep or the popemobile.

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

— Keen Eye (@MartinBerthelot) March 14, 2013

About 250 bishops and archbishops are expected, as well as delegations from other churches, heads of state, government ministers, and visiting dignitaries from other faiths.

God bless our new Pope, Francis the first! #PopeFrancis #conclave

— + Fintan Monahan (@BishopFintan) March 14, 2013

The pope’s spokesman, Fr Federico Lombardi, said most of the rest of the piazza will be “standing-room only for all those without tickets”. President Michael D Higgins will represent Ireland.

Tom McCarthy from Boston, whose family hail from Cork, flew in to attend today’s ceremony. He visited the basilica yesterday and was surprised by the general sense of calm.

“It doesn’t look like there’s a whole lot going on, but maybe everyone is a bit overwhelmed,” he said. “It’s a lot to plan for, but I’m sure everything will fall into place.”

Judging by the level of detail given out by Fr Lombardi at yesterday’s press conference, the Vatican has not left anything to chance.