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 The BBC's Emily Buchanan"He's only too aware of the pit-falls ahead"  real 28k  The Duke of Norfolk"He's a gentle giant both in mind and body"  real 28k |
 The archbishop adjusts to his new role
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The 67-year-old former Bishop of Arundel and Brighton succeeds Cardinal Basil Hume, who died of cancer in July last year.
The Most Rev Murphy-O'Connor said in his inaugural speech: "I have no time for prophets of gloom. I do not believe these are gloomy times for the Catholic Church in our country.
Welcome successor
"When the skies are dark the light shines more brightly. For those who follow Jesus Christ there is the assurance that in Him, God has visited his people."
His appointment has been broadly welcomed by those within and outside the Catholic church.
When the skies are dark the light shines more brightly  |
Most Reverend Cormac Murphy-O'Connor
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In 1998 there were 5,600 priests in the Roman Catholic Church of England and Wales, compared with 7,021 in 1980.
He said he knew there were "obstacles and the difficulties" on the path to Christian unity, but urged his four million-strong flock to work towards ecumenical goals.
The archbishop said: "The road to Christian unity is like a road with no exit, a pilgrimage of grace we make together.
 The archbishop is helped as he stumbles on a step
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As he left the service the archbishop spent a few moments on the steps of the cathedral speaking to Mrs Blair.
He then set off on an impromptu walk-about, shaking hands with members of the crowd and being congratulated by passers-by.
Archbishop Murphy-O'Connor made his international name as co-chairman of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, which handles discussions with Anglicans.
He took a lead in receiving into the Catholic ministry Anglican clergymen disaffected by the ordination of women.
Upbeat sermon
He gave an upbeat sermon emphasising joy and hope rather than focusing on worries about the declining numbers attending mass.
The Catholic Church in England and Wales |
The Archbishop of Westminster is leader of England and Wales' 4.1 million
Catholics
Since 1850, each Archbishop of Westminster has been created cardinal by the
Pope within 10 years of taking on the role
The Catholic church has 2843 parish churches in England and Wales
Congregations at Sunday masses have fallen 22% in the last decade
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The Archbishop elect says he is not a liberal, but he is known to like new initiatives.
He has encouraged close participation with the Anglican church, and has said that he is not against the idea of married priests.
When asked at the age of four what he wanted to be when he grew up he replied: "Either a doctor or a Pope."
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