VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Francis has officially begun his ministry as the 266th pope, receiving the ring symbolising the papacy and a wool stole symbolising his role as shepherd of his 1.2-billion strong flock.

A cardinal intoned the rite of inauguration at the start of Tuesday's Mass, saying "the Good Shepherd charged Peter to feed his lambs and his sheep; today you succeed him as the bishop of this church."