Pledging to be "a mayor for all people," Antonio Villaraigosa became the 41st mayor of Los Angeles during festive ceremonies that emphasized unity of purpose amidst the city's tremendous diversity.

"I will always believe in the value of every Angeleno. This is truly our town. And we all have a contribution to make," said the mayor in a speech following his July 1 inauguration.

Villaraigosa said that education reform -- including dramatically improving high school graduation rates -- would be the priority of his administration. More than one third of the city's high school students drop out. The mayor said he would form a Council of Education Advisors to make recommendations and also said he would focus on getting more police patrolling the streets and reducing traffic congestion.

Villaraigosa is the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles since 1872 when the city was home to 5,000 residents. He now assumes leadership of a metropolis of more than four million with a global influence in culture and business.

Recalling the prominence of London and Venice in earlier centuries, Villaraigosa asserted that "Los Angeles can be the great global city of our century."

Inauguration ceremonies began with a morning interfaith prayer service at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Spiritual readings and reflections were given by Catholic, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Sikh and Hindu religious leaders.

"We have assembled a spiritual mosaic that is Los Angeles to express to you our shared desire that God direct, shepherd, and sustain you during your tenure as mayor," said Father Alexei Smith, archdiocesan ecumenical and interreligous officer.

Remarks given by Church of God in Christ Bishop Charles E. Blake took the region's entertainment industry to task for portraying sensuality and violence while condemning young people for teenage pregnancies and for being violent.

He called on the mayor to promote an "all inclusive" vision based on the "wonder and awesomeness of life."

"Life has value and respect for life is a moral and ethical principle," said Bishop Blake.

Representatives of the different faiths then welcomed Villaraigosa and his wife Corina onto the altar and gathered around them in a circle of prayer and blessing.

Pro-life protests

Not all people of faith were pleased with the new mayor who is a Roman Catholic. A couple of dozen young adults from the American Life League and Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust assembled outside the Cathedral and walked during the procession to City Hall protesting the mayor's pro-choice stance. Villaraigosa was national co-chair of John Kerry's presidential campaign and co-chair of the Platform Committee for the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

"We're calling upon our new mayor to openly and firmly take a stand that protects our generation," said Arianna Grumbine, 19, of the survivor's group. "He's a role model, and if he doesn't take a stand for life no one will be expected to."

Minutes later, cell phones rang alerting the protestors to the resignation of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and fueling hopes that a new justice will move the Court to overturn Roe v. Wade and make abortion illegal.

On the South Lawn of City Hall several thousand political and community leaders, residents and national press gathered to see the inauguration of Villaraigosa, city council members and other elected officials.

Cardinal Roger Mahony gave the benediction and prayed for city leaders to advance the common good of all its residents (See transcript below).

An enthusiastic crowd cheered Villaraigosa. Renee Rodriguez, a teacher at Roosevelt High School, said she hoped the new mayor would inspire her students to persevere in their education despite many obstacles.

"He grew up without a father and I hope my students see that it's still possible to achieve," said Rodriguez.

Egbert Costello of Los Angeles recalled the time Villaraigosa shook his hand and thanked him for his community service. "He's a people person," said Costello. "I hope he brings us together."

Isabel Ortiz, who answers a domestic violence hotline, said she wanted to contribute to the city and the mayor's success.

"We all have to put in our part," said Ortiz, "He can't do this by himself."