He appeared at the window of the papal apartment to greet crowds gathered in Saint Peter's Square.

The blessing came after he celebrated his first Sunday mass as the pope.

"God never tires of forgiving us, but we sometimes do tire of asking forgiveness," Pope Francis said. "We should not ever tire of asking forgiveness. He is the loving father who has this heart full of mercy for us."

The Vatican said that Pope Francis will meet Monday with Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, the president of his native Argentina.

The two have been at odds over her support for gay marriage and free contraceptives.

Pope Francis will also meet with Pope Emeritus Benedict Saturday, the first time a sitting pope will meet his predecessor in more than 600 years.

Pope Francis' installation will take place Tuesday.