VATICAN CITY -- More than a half-million people were expected to jam St. Peter's Square and the cobblestoned streets leading to it today, hoping to glimpse the formal investiture of Pope Benedict XVI as spiritual leader of the world's Catholics. Thousands of Catholic pilgrims and curious tourists crowded into the square Saturday, some waving the black-red-and-yellow and the blue-and-white checked flags of the pope's German homeland and his native Bavarian region. Many snatched up new Benedict XVI paraphernalia hawked in the square since fellow cardinals elected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as pope early last week. Earlier in the day, at a rare papal meeting with more than 1,000 international journalists, the pope thanked the international press for its coverage of the death and funeral of his predecessor, John Paul II, and his own selection as the 265th pope. He promised to maintain a dialogue with the media, but took no questions during the session. In contrast, John Paul answered questions for 40 minutes during his first meeting with the press, following his election as pope in 1978. Pope Benedict read parts of his message in Italian, English, French and German, then jokingly returned to Italian "since we are in Rome." He remembered John Paul as a "great artisan" of an "open and sincere" media dialogue that began with the Second Vatican Council reforms, which set the Catholic Church on the road to modernization. "Thanks to all of you, these historically important ecclesial events have had worldwide coverage," he said. "I know how hard you have worked, far away from your homes and families for long hours, and in sometimes difficult conditions." The 15-minute meeting, also attended by children's groups and other Vatican workers, was his first public meeting in Pope Paul IV Hall, frequently used for papal audiences. Many of the journalists clapped and cheered as he appeared wearing a simple white gown and hat and red shoes. Several yelled out "Viva Il Papa!" -- "Long Live the Pope!î Monday is an Italian national holiday celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Allied liberation of Italy during World War II. Many Italians are expected to come to Rome, taking advantage of the three-day weekend to attend today's papal inauguration. Italian authorities expect 100,000 Germans to descend on Rome, too, and watch their countryman's formal investiture. Along Via della Conciliazione, the main street out of St. Peter's Square, Italian police cordoned off traffic and set up large television screens and loudspeakers, so the expected overflow crowd can watch and hear the ceremony. On the wall of a building along the street, a sign with red hearts painted on it read, in German: "Beloved Father, Your Children Love You."

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