Congressman Langevin Speaks to ABC6 from the Investiture of Pope - ABC6 - Providence, RI and New Bedford, MA News, Weather

Congressman Langevin Speaks to ABC6 from the Investiture of Pope Francis

by ABC6 Chief Political Reporter Mark Curtis 

mcurtis@abc6.com

The investiture of Pope Francis, seen my millions across the globe on television.

There were also tens of thousands in Saint Peter's Square to see it in person, including Rhode Island Congressman Jim Langevin, who spoke to us by phone.

Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) said, "It was a very moving ceremony, a very moving mass. It was very exciting being a witness to history. It's very special.".

Congressman Langevin emailed ABC6 some of his photos from the Vatican.

Also watching the ceremony was Father Robert Marciano, from St. Kevin's Parish in Warwick.

He is an authority on papal investitures.

Rev. Marciano said, "Interestingly enough, he was installed on the feast of St. Joseph, the Patron Saint of the Universal Church. And the whole church was united watching him, the whole world was. And now Easter is about a resurrection, a new beginning. And certainly we have a new beginning with Pope Francis.

One of the most poignant moments came when Pope Francis left his vehicle, and went into the crowd, where he kissed and blessed a severely disabled man.

Congressman Jim Langevin said, "Getting out and talking to someone and embracing someone who has a profound disability, that's typical as I understand it, of who Pope Francis is. And hopefully we're going to see more of that."

This is the second time Congressman Langevin has attended the investiture of a Pope, something he says he'll never forget.

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