Posted February 21, 2020

See scenes of the Feb. 18 Mass in the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in which Archbishop Nelson J. Perez, a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia ordained in the cathedral in 1989, became the 10th archbishop of Philadelphia amid a joyous outpouring of affection by clergy, religious and lay people. See complete coverage in our Welcome Archbishop Perez section. (Photos by Sarah Webb except where noted)

  • Archbishop Nelson Perez, right, enters the chapel of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul with retiring Archbishop Charles Chaput, center, before the Mass of installation Feb. 18. (Tim Tai/ The Philadelphia Inquirer)

  • Archbishop Nelson J. Perez gestures for his relatives in the back of the cathedral’s chapel to come forward so they can sit in the basilica to participate closely in his installation as archbishop of Philadelphia Feb. 18. (Tim Tai/ The Philadelphia Inquirer)

  • Priests process into the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia for Archbishop Nelson Perez’s installation Mass on Tuesday, Feb. 18. (Tim Tai/ The Philadelphia Inquirer)

  • Archbishop Nelson Perez greets Father Christopher Papa, his 1989 ordination classmate, and fellow priests as they process into the installation Mass.

  • Archbishop Nelson Perez reverences a crucifix held by Father Dennis Gill, rector of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, in a sign that the archbishop has entered the place of his cathedra, the seat of authority for a Catholic bishop in a diocese.

  • The archbishop sprinkles the congregation with holy water.

  • Archbishop Christophe Pierre, papal nuncio to the United States of America, reads the apostolic letter in which Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Nelson Perez to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

  • Archbishp Nelson Perez presents the apostolic letter for the faithful to see.

  • Archbishop Charles Chaput congratulates his successor, Archbishop Nelson Perez, as archbishop of Philadelphia.

  • Archbishop Christophe Pierre, papal nuncio to the United States, congratulates newly installed Archbishop Nelson Perez as the 10th archbishop of Philadelphia.

  • Permanent Deacons Louis Malfara and Patrick Stokely applaud along with the congregation as Archbishop Perez takes his seat at the cathedra. Both men served as deacons when the archbishop was pastor of St. William Parish and St. Agnes Parish in West Chester, respectively.

  • Father Michael Feketie, who influenced Archbishop Perez to become a priest,, and the archbishop’s brother Louis Martin Perez applaud as he takes his seat in the cathedra.

  • Archbishop Nelson Perez is greeted by Theresa Romanowski and Steven Smolczynski, representatives of the Polish community.

  • The Clark family greets Archbishop Perez.

  • Recently appointed Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw greets the archbishop.

  • Archbishop Perez shows the pectoral cross that his classmates from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary gave him to commemorate his installation.

  • Newly installed Archbishop Nelson Perez thanks his successor, Archbishop Charles Chaput, during his homily, and the crowd applauds.

  • Archbishop Nelson Perez speaks to the congregation during his homily at the installation Mass.

  • Archbishop Nelson Perez preaches the homily during the installation Mass.

  • Archbishop Nelson J. Perez, left, elevates the Eucharist during the Mass of installation. (David Maialetti/ The Philadelphia Inquirer)

  • Concelebrating with newly installed Archbishop Nelson Perez, center, are (from left) Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Cardinal Justin Rigali and Archbishop Charles Chaput.

  • Anna Vega, former director of the Office for Hispanic Catholics in Philadelphia, and her husband Gil receive holy Communion from Archbishop Nelson Perez.

  • Children from the Neocatechumenal Way present Archbishop Nelson Perez with a card, flowers and candy at the end of his installation Mass.

  • Newly installed Archbishop Nelson Perez offers the final blessing during his installation Mass.

  • Newly installed as the 10th archbishop of Philadelphia, Archbishop Nelson Perez recesses out of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.

  • Father Michael Feketie (center), who greatly influenced Archbishop Perez to become a priest, greets the archbishop and his brother Louis Martin Perez (right) after the Feb. 18 installation Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.

  • Archbishop Nelson Perez sign his prayer card for Ana Garcia, from St. Francis de Sales Parish in Southwest Philadelphia, after his installation Mass.

  • Hundreds of faithful gather after Mass to congratulate the newly installed Archbishop Nelson Perez.