Pope Francis's first Angelus prayer: Live Report

WE ARE NOW WRAPPING UP THIS LIVE REPORT where Pope Francis has appeared before thousands of pilgrims massed in St Peter's Square for his first Angelus prayer. It was the new pope's second appearance before the general public since he was elected on Wednesday, and he again asked the faithful to "pray for me". The Angelus has traditionally been a moment to comment on international issues, but Francis used the occasion to emphasise his Italian roots. The former Buenos Aires archbishop, whose parents hailed from Italy, said he chose to name himself after St Francis of Assisi because of his "spiritual ties with this land". Attention will now turn to his inauguration mass on Tuesday, when up to a million people are expected to gather in St Peter's Square to see the 266th pontiff be given his fisherman's ring and wooden shepherd's staff in a lavish ceremony that will be attended by dozens of world leaders. 1229 GMT: As people streamed away from the Vatican, they find themselves watching the Rome Marathon which is snaking through the capital. AFP's Claudia Rahola says two Franciscan monks and nuns watch as the runners whizz past. 1220 GMT: The pope issues his first tweet shortly after performing his first Angelus prayer. "Dear friends, I thank you from my heart and ask you to continue to pray for me," the Argentine pope tweeted from the @Pontifex account. The Vatican used the Twitter account shortly after Francis's surprise election last Wednesday to tweet "Habemus Papam Franciscum" (We Have Pope Francis). 1215 GMT: The new pope is a moderate conservative who is unlikely to change key doctrine but experts predict Francis could push for more social justice and a friendlier faith. 1208 GMT: The new pope has tried to project a common touch by breaking with many formal traditions since his surprise election on Wednesday. One banner reads: "Francis, You Are the Springtime of the Church", reflecting a groundswell of hope that the choice of a humble outsider has inspired in many Catholics weary of Vatican scandal and dysfunction. 1154 GMT: The new pope is proving to be a breath of fresh air for many young adults who have turned their backs on the church. Apart from his support for San Lorenzo, the new pope is known for his interest in the Tango and his fondness for Mate -- a South American beverage where yerba leaves are steeped in hot water. A worshipper in the crowd holds a banner reading: 'Pope Francis, thanks for the mate' "You imagine that Pope Francis will come out on the balcony drinking mate," jokes a young Argentinian as he walks past the banner. 1153 GMT: Ecuadorian worshipper Anibal Puetate reflects on the Angelus... "He says we have to pray for him," Anibal tells AFP's Claudia Rahola. "We have to use that as a starting point so that things will change and improve everyone's lives." 1139 GMT: The Argentine faithful in St Peter's Square have given their steadfast support to the new pontiff and refuted allegations that he failed to speak out against brutalities committed during the years of the military junta (1976-1983). "This polemic [on the new pope] is being orchestrated by leftists and it is a false and unjust allegation," Vivian, a 56-year-old woman tells AFP's Franck Iovene. 1121 GMT: The new pope has already spoken to Catholic leaders about the need for spiritual renewal and evangelisation, and it seems he has already made a lasting impact on several of the worshippers. Antonio Nicoletta, a 34-year-old from Rome, has come along with his wife and their two small children. He tells AFP's Taimaz Szirniks that he was impressed by the new pontiff and would "return next Sunday.” 1120 GMT: The new pope is cultivating a more friendly-image than his predecessor Benedict XVI -- who was an academic theologian. Argentinian worshipper Gabriel Solís, 33, tells AFP's Claudia Rahola that he was deeply moved by the Angelus prayer. "He spoke with indescribable emotion," he says. "He is going to bring about a lot of peace because he is very humble, very charismatic. He appears closer to the people, and you never sensed that from his predecessor," he adds. 1116 GMT: The bells ring out across St Peter's Square as the pope finishes his Angelus address. "It was short and sweet," says AFP's Guy Jackson. "Just as he did on the night he was elected, he asked the crowd to pray for him, but he steered clear of the international issues that popes often mention in the Angelus." 1115 GMT: "Thank you for your welcome, and for your prayers," the first pope from Latin America says. "Pray for me," he added. 1113 GMT: There is a large Argentinian contingent in the crowd, and another banner reads: "Pope Bergoglio our pride!" 1112 GMT: The thrifty attitude appears to have spread to the worshippers.... Sohac Mia, 27-year-old Bangladesh trader is finding it hard to sell laminated images of the new pope. "I'm selling them for just one euro but everyone says they cost too much," she tells AFP's Claudia Rahola. 1111 GMT: "In keeping with the more humble image that Francis is cultivating, the paintwork of the window frame and the shutters looks as if it could do with a fresh coat of paint!" says AFP's Guy Jackson 1103 GMT: Colourful scenes at St Peter's Square as many worshippers have brought home-made banners to show their support to the new pontiff. AFP's Claudia Rahola says one banner reads: 'We will walk with you father Francisco, humble shepherd of our souls' while in another corner of the square a Mexican religious group had been singing the Guadalupana -- a song in honour of the virgin of Guadalupe. 1102 GMT: A huge roar went up as the pope appeared at the window, says AFP's Guy Jackson. 1100 GMT: NEW POPE APPEARS AT THE VATICAN WINDOW FOR FIRST ANGELUS PRAYER 1050 GMT: Was there some form divine intervention taking place in Buenos Aires earlier? The pope's favourite football side, San Lorenzo, took advantage of a freak own goal to sneak to a narrow 1-0 victory over Colon. That will have brought a smile to the new pontiff, whose is supporter number 88.235N of the San Lorenzo club. San Lorenzo fans are known as "Crows," after the black cassock of the club's founding priest and the win over their first division rivals will surely have them all crowing. 1046 GMT: Pope Francis has signalled he wants to establish a thrifty church that will serve the poor, and this message has resonated with many of the worshippers packed in St Peter's Square. Father Francisco, a Colombian Franciscan priest tells AFP's Claudia Rahola that the election of Pope Francis will give the Catholic Church a new impetus. "We are the poor who believe more in the Churches," he says. 1045 GMT: There is a crackle of excitement as the window of the 3rd floor papal apartment is opened, says AFP's Franck Iovene. "It isn't the pope, but an assistant who installs the pulpit from where the pope will make his address," he says. 1040 GMT: The vast square is packed with worshippers who were funnelled through security barriers. Argentinian flags are out in force in St Peter's Square, says AFP's Guy Jackson, even though the pope appealed to people in his homeland not to make the expensive journey to Rome for his inauguration on Tuesday but to donate the money to charity instead. 1034 GMT: AFP's Guy Jackson says there is real affection for the new pontiff and an electric atmosphere is developing ahead of his public address. "Astonishing scenes at the Vatican as the pope can hardly move as he is surrounded by a crowd chanting "Francesco, Francesco" after he leaves the Santa Anna Church," he says. 1033 GMT: It will be a busy day for the new pope, who has already celebrated mass in a small Vatican church. ''To me, I say this humbly, the strongest message of the Lord is mercy," he told the congregation at the Santa Anna Church. "The Lord never gets tired of forgiving," he said. WELCOME TO AFP'S LIVE REPORT from the Vatican where Pope Francis will get a first chance since his surprise election to outline his vision for the Catholic Church. More than 200,000 worshippers are gathered under cloudy skies in St Peter's Square waiting for the new pontiff to deliver the Angelus prayer -- a weekly address that previous pontiffs have used to comment on international affairs. Stay with us to follow the address and get all the reaction from St Peter's Square.