New Pope Warns Catholic Church of Turning into NGO

World | March 14, 2013, Thursday // 21:05
Bulgaria: New Pope Warns Catholic Church of Turning into NGO Francis is the first Latin American - and the first Jesuit - Pope. Photo by BBC

Pope Francis has warned the Catholic Church would become "a compassionate NGO" without spiritual renewal.

In a Sistine Chapel Mass with cardinals on his first day as Church leader, the pontiff said: "If we do not confess to Christ, what would we be?

"We would end up a compassionate NGO. What would happen would be like when children make sand castles and then it all falls down."

Francis is the first Latin American - and the first Jesuit - Pope.

The BBC's David Willey, in Rome, says the 76-year-old has already been swift to stamp his style on the papacy.

On Friday, Pope Francis will meet all the cardinals, including those aged over 80 who did not take part in the conclave.

On Saturday he will meet the world's media at a special papal audience, an opportunity perhaps to set out some of his global vision.

A visit to his predecessor Benedict XVI at his retreat at Castel Gandolfo outside Rome is also planned, but will not take place in the next couple of days, Father Lombardi said.

The visit to Benedict is important, correspondents say, as the existence of a living retired pope has prompted fears of a possible rival power.

Francis will be installed officially in an inauguration Mass on Tuesday 19 March, the Vatican added.

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Tags: francis, Pope, Benedict XVI

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