Pope must embrace the poorest and the weakest, Francis says

Vatican City - The leader of the Catholic Church "must open his arms to protect all of God's people and embrace with tender affection the whole of humanity," Pope Francis said Tuesday, in the homily of his inauguration mass.

He mentioned "especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important, those whom Matthew lists in the final judgement on love: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison." Francis also urged the faithful to be caring. "We must not be afraid of goodness, of tenderness," he said, prompting applause from the crowd.//DPA