'Self reform has started' as Vatican officials catch cabs

Vatican officials, made nervous by the public example of the new pope, have already begun to moderate their lifestyle, taking taxis around Rome rather than using the large fleet of luxury sedans, Italian newspapers have reported.

"The pope, who is used to taking the minibus with his Cardinal brethren, standing in line for breakfast at the self-service restaurant in the Domus Sancta Martha (the Vatican hotel) and settling his hotel bill in person, could look out of the window and see that he is surrounded by people who are not getting the drift and not following suit," reported La Stampa. "Self reform has started."

The newspapers suggest he has begun reading the secret 300-page secret report on the Vatican that allegedly includes accounts of corruption and sex scandals, which Pope Benedict XVI sealed for his successor when he resigned on February 28.

As is customary, Pope Francis has confirmed all Vatican staff in their posts, but emphasised it is only temporary. "The Holy Father wishes to leave some time for reflection, prayer, and dialogue before any final appointment or confirmation is made," a Vatican statement said.

The most eagerly awaited appointment is secretary of state, the Vatican prime minister, who will be expected to lead reform of the Curia, the bureaucracy. 

Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes - the man who inspired the pope to adopt the name Francis by asking him to "remember the poor" - told Italian newspaper Avvenire that the cardinals spent considerable time discussing the Curia.

"Many are waiting for a reform of the Roman Curia and I'm pretty certain that Francis will do it, and will do in the light of the Word, of essentiality, of simplicity and of the humility required by the Gospel," Cardinal Hummes said.

Pope Francis gave his first Angelus on Sunday, to an audience of some 200,000, a larger crowd than thronged the square to see the white smoke that signalled his election last week. 

The Angelus is an ancient short Christian devotion, which the Pope gives after a short message every Sunday.

For hours people streamed into the square, the early arrivals seeking the best spots under the windows of the papal apartment. They greeted the pope enthusiastically, waving flags from dozens of nations but especially the yellow and white of the papal flag.

Pope Francis spoke for about 15 minutes in a gentle, conversational tone about forgiveness and God's patience, saying "the word mercy changes the world. A little mercy makes the world less cold and more just.

"Do not forget this: the Lord never wearies of forgiving! We are the ones who weary of asking for forgiveness."

He finished: "Have a good Sunday and a good lunch."