Pence sworn in as 48th vice president of the United States

With his hand on a pair of Bibles and a pledge before God to defend the Constitution, former Indiana Gov. Mike Pence took the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony on Capitol Hill.

In doing so, he became the nation's 48th vice president and the sixth from Indiana in the state's 200-year history.

It was a fitting beginning of a new chapter for Pence, who considers his conservative Christian values the driving force of his 16-year political career.

Hundreds of thousands of people braved overcast skies to watch as Pence and President Donald Trump took their oaths from the west front terrace of the Capitol, ushering in one of the least conventional administrations in modern history.

Pence swore the oath on two Bibles — the one he opens every morning and one that belonged to his political idol, Ronald Reagan. The oath was administered by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, a member of the high court's conservative wing. By Pence's side were his wife Karen and their three children.

While vice presidents do not give inauguration speeches, Pence's decision to use Reagan's Bible and his request that Thomas administer the oath were strong indications of the kind of vice president Pence aspires to be.

He made continuous references to Reagan throughout the campaign, often arguing that Trump had much in common with “the great communicator.” Pence also promised to be a voice for conservative principles, including on issues such as abortion and the selection of strict constitutionalists to the Supreme Court.

The swearing in ceremony represented a stunning ascent for the Columbus, Ind., native.

Just one year ago, Pence was facing a tough re-election race as governor in Indiana after a bruising battle over Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which critics argued could allow discrimination against gay people. Then in May, as the race for the Republican nomination barreled into the state, Pence endorsed U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz rather than Trump, though he also praised the clear front runner.

Two months later, Trump made one of the most conventional choices of his free wheeling campaign. Looking for someone who could appeal to social conservatives and who was familiar with Congress, he tapped the affable, silver-haired Pence — a longtime warrior of the ideological right during his six terms in Congress — to become his running mate.

On Friday, Pence, who has long described himself as "a Christian, a conservative and a Republican — in that order," began the morning attending a private 8:30 a.m. service at St. John's Church.

Later, Trump and Pence traveled to the Capitol for the swearing in ceremony.

Pence was sworn in first, using the oath mandated by Congress and twice as long as the president's, which is spelled out in the Constitution.

"I do solemnly swear," Pence said, "that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God."

After the swearing in ceremony, Pence and Trump are expected to attend a 1 p.m. luncheon on Capitol Hill, conduct a 2:30 p.m. ceremonial military review from the Capitol, then join the inaugural parade to the White House. Later, they plan to attend the Liberty and Freedom inaugural balls at the Washington Convention Center and a ball honoring the armed services at the National Building Museum.

Brenda Goff, a Republican from Evansville who watched the inauguration on Capitol Hill, said it's a proud day for Hoosiers.

"Our state and the country will be well represented by Vice President Pence," she said. "He spoke from his heart as he took the oath to serve us all."

Live: Scenes from Trump-Pence Inauguration Day

Call IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at (317) 444-6081. Follow him on Twitter: @indystartony.