Pope's inaugural Mass

Benedict XVI celebrates his inaugural Mass on St Peter's Square today and will deliver his first public homily as leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics from the spot where he presided over Pope John Paul's funeral two weeks ago.

Fewer world leaders are due to attend the inauguration than the funeral, one of the biggest gatherings of the powerful in recent times, but royalty, Presidents and prime ministers will attend, as will Pope's 81-year-old brother Georg, a priest.

Rome will shut off its airspace for the Mass and has anti-aircraft missiles and a NATO plane guarding against attack.

As the Pope spoke in the Vatican thousands of German pilgrims streamed towards Rome to attend the inauguration of their native son as visible head of the Catholic Church.

More than 1,000 volunteers have been drafted in to marshal the crowds, including some from a German-speaking area of northern Italy to help pilgrims from the Pope's homeland coming to see their first compatriot in centuries be sworn in as Pope.

Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and President Horst Köhler are leading the German delegation. The US delegation is being led by Florida Governor Jeb Bush, brother of the American President.

The death of Pope John Paul, his funeral and the conclave that elected Pope Benedict was a media event like no other in recent history, with billions of viewers tuning in across the globe. Many said their faith was renewed from afar.

"In my own name, and especially on behalf of Catholics living far from Rome, who were able to participate in these stirring moments for our faith that were taking place, I thank you for all you have done," the Pope told the world's journalists.