Pope Benedict XVI officially installed Sunday

VATICAN CITY -- In a broad message of outreach to formally begin his papacy, Pope Benedict XVI stressed his church's shared bonds with Jews and other Christians and promised followers Sunday he would not ignore their voices in leading the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics.\nThe pope's first major homily in St. Peter's Square also was noteworthy for what it left out: no mention of any current political issues or direct overtures toward Muslims although he paid respects "to believers and non-believers alike."\n"My real program of governance is not to do my own will, not to pursue my own ideas, but to listen, together with the whole Church, to the word and the will of the Lord," the pontiff told a gallery of dignitaries, spiritual leaders and more than 350,000 pilgrims in his German-accented Italian.\nThe pope did not elaborate, but it suggested his papacy could study some pressing issues such as greater social activism and ways to reverse the decline of church attendance and vocations in the West. As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger -- before his election as pope -- he clearly opposed any fundamental changes such as ending bans on contraception or women priests.\nThe lack of a political edge to the homily also hinted Benedict may be more cautious than his predecessor, John Paul II, in using the Vatican's clout in international affairs.\n"At first I thought he'd be stern and scolding," said Walter Bonner, who traveled from Italy's German-speaking Alpine region. "But he turns out to be more like a grandfather."\nThe inclusive tone of the homily -- given after he received the Fisherman's Ring and other symbols of papal authority -- added fodder to the deep reassessment of Benedict since his election Tuesday. He emerged from the conclave followed by his reputation as rigid and dogmatic after 24 years as the Vatican's chief overseer of doctrine. But he quickly displayed a style of openness he said was inspired by John Paul II -- who he said is now "truly at home" among the saints.\nOne of Benedict's first acts was a personal greeting to the head of Rome's Jewish community. Sunday, he noted "a great shared spiritual heritage" with Jews.\nIn Israel, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said the pope's words shows his desire to continue John Paul's interfaith efforts and "forge even stronger ties between Israel and the Vatican and between Jews and Christians." \nThe pope also extended a hand to all Christians, quoting Scriptures with images of a separated flock. "Let us do all we can to pursue the path toward unity," he said.\n"Finally, like a wave gathering force," he added at another point in the 30-minute homily, "my thoughts go out to all men and women today, to believers and non-believers alike."\nHere, too, the pope stepped gently onto sensitive ground. In 2000, while serving at the Vatican's powerful office that guides doctrine, he issued a document that angered other Christians and faiths by framing salvation in only Catholic terms.\nBut he went no further into church doctrine in his homily -- unlike his pre-conclave comments that stressed obedience to absolute truths of morality and faith. Instead, he proclaimed humility at facing "this enormous task, which truly exceeds all human capacity."\n"Pray for me," he said several times.\nThe Mass -- known as the Ceremony of Investiture -- brought Benedict back to the steps of St. Peter's Basilica where he led the funeral rites for John Paul on April 8. \nBenedict's brother, the Rev. Georg Ratzinger, had a prominent seat on the basilica esplanade. It was "different" seeing his brother after his papal election.\n"But soon we were back to normal," he said.\nClutching his pastoral staff, Benedict began the ceremony by walking into the area under the basilica where St. Peter is believed to be buried, paying homage to the first pope and blessing the tomb with incense as a choir chanted.\nHe emerged and looked out over the square. Two attendants carrying trays presented Benedict with the symbols of the papacy.\nOn his left hand, he slipped on the Fisherman's Ring, which is emblazoned with an image of Peter casting his fishing nets. Over his vestments, he draped the woolen pallium -- a narrow shawl of white lamb and sheep's wool embroidered with five silk crosses that symbolize the pope's role as a shepherd taking care of his flock.\nThe pallium was pierced by three golden pins to symbolize the nails driven into the cross on which Christ was crucified, and the red color of the crosses is for Christ's blood.\nThen 12 followers -- symbolizing Christ's 12 disciples -- lined up and pledged loyalty to Benedict, kneeling before him and kissing his golden ring. The first in the procession were three cardinals. The last were two young Catholics from Sri Lanka and the Democratic Republic of Congo.\nThe aura of John Paul was strong.\nSome pilgrims carried portraits of the late pontiff. Even Benedict referred to him often and echoed the words John Paul gave at his 1978 installation Mass: "Do not be afraid"