Party in Buenos Aires as Argentine pope set for inauguration

We are expecting a full plaza,as if it were to celebrate a World Cup victory,says Federico Wals.

Vast crowds gathered outside the Buenos Aires cathedral overnight to dance and sing as they prepared to watch the inauguration of Francis,an Argentine like them,as the new pope on a giant television screen today.

The new pope until days ago known as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio,Archbishop of Buenos Aires regularly delivered mass at the cathedral on a corner of the Plaza de Mayo. The president8217;s office,the Casa Rosada,is also located on the plaza.

8220;We are expecting a full plaza,as if it were to celebrate a World Cup victory,8221; said Federico Wals,spokesman for the archbishop8217;s office.

Catholic high school students in the noisy crowd chanted slogans praising Francis,while seminarians and nuns waved Vatican flags and signs supporting the new pope.

The leader of the world8217;s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics will be formally inaugurated at the televised mass in St Peter8217;s Square,where the Vatican expects hundreds of thousands of people.

At the vigil in Buenos Aires there were group prayers and music,including the rock band Father Cesar and the Sinners,led by a priest named Cesar Scicchitano. The country8217;s most popular singer,Axel,will also perform,responding to an invitation from religious authorities.

8220;This pope has awakened deep emotions within me,not only because he8217;s from Argentina,but because of his warmth as a person,8221; said Celia Farias,33.

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8220;As a Catholic,it has renewed my faith,8221; she told AFP. For Andrea Cosentino,a 40 year-old homemaker,Francis8217;s papacy will result in the church 8220;getting close to the common people.8221;

Both women arrived at the Plaza de Mayo armed with folding chairs,signs,jackets for the cold weather,an umbrella 8220;in case it rains8221; and gourds with yerba mate,a traditional Argentine tea that the pope enjoys.

Before travelling to the Vatican for the inauguration ceremony,Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri ordered the public school system closed for the day. Some 75 per cent of Argentina8217;s 40 million people say they are Catholic,according to church officials.

Local officials set up several Red Cross stations to provide medical assistance overnight,while army support units were in place to provide hot beverages and aid.