Pope Benedict reaches out

IT was hard to know which shone the brightest, the searing sun on our backs, the scalding giant arc lamps of the TV cameras or the beatific smile on the face of Benedict XVI.

Brighter still was the glow of the 350,000 pilgrims who descended yesterday on St Peter’s Square for his installation as the 265th Pope and leader of over one billion Catholics.

Many had been here just over one week ago for the funeral of John Paul II, a solemn and sad occasion held in the wind and rain. But this was a joyous moment and it seemed only fitting that the sun should rise to the occasion.