Pope Francis, meanwhile, is starting to get to grips with his new role now that the pomp and ceremony of his inauguration is out of the way.

CNN: New pope, old pope meet for lunch

President Barack Obama is rolling out the red carpet, complete with the full pomp of a 21-gun salute and a black-tie dinner after Oval Office talks on Wednesday.

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The Queen set out the government's plans in a speech written for her by the government amid the traditional pomp and ceremony of the state opening of parliament.

BBC: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh