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Pope to make first pastoral visit to Roman church

VATICAN CITY, April 19 (UPI) -- Pope Francis plans to visit a Roman parish in late May for his first pastoral visit as bishop of Rome, the Vatican announced Friday.

The pope will visit Santi Elisabetta and Zaccaria and attend a mass at which 44 children are to receive their first communion, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. It is scheduled for May 26.

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Francis was archbishop of Buenos Aires from 1998 until his election March 13 to succeed Pope Benedict XVI. He was known for his modest lifestyle, living in an apartment and preparing his own meals.

The pope celebrated mass at a school for troubled teenagers on Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday.

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