POPE FRANCIS INAUGURATED AS 267TH PONTIFF Pope Francis was today inaugurated as the 267th pontiff following the resignation last month of Pope Benedith XVI. He was elected last Wednesday. At the inaugural mass a St Peter's Basilica Rome, hundreds of devotees thronged the venue. Before the mass, Pope Francis venerated at the tomb of St. Peter. He was handed the Pallium(a wooden cloak), the fisherman's ring(the symbol of St. Peter) and the book of the Gospels. The pope's homily was delivered in italian, it dwelt on man's need to help the poor and peace in the world. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, U.S Vice President Joe Biden including other dignitaries across the world attended the mass. Nigeria sent a 5-man delegation led by Senate President David Mark.