2013-03-13 Vatican Radio(Vatican Radio) It’s official: white smoke pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney signals that we have a new Pope! The billowing white smoke began spilling out of the chimney at approximately 7:06 p.m. local time, indicating the Cardinals had reached consensus on a candidate in the second round of balloting Wednesday afternoon. This means that at least two thirds, or 77 of the 115 cardinals gathered in conclave since Tuesday afternoon are united in their support for the candidate who has now become the 265successor of St Peter.As the cheering crowds wait eagerly in St Peter’s Square, the new pontiff is changing into the traditional white vestments in what is called the Room of Tears. After that, he returns to the Sistine Chapel where each of the Cardinal electors kneels to offer a sign of homage and obedience to their new Holy Father.Following that ritual, the new Pope will move to the Pauline Chapel to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Shortly after that, the senior cardinal deacon, French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran will appear between the red curtains of the central balcony on St Peter’s Basilica to proclaim the famous Latin words ‘Habemus Papam’, revealing the identity of the new pontiff and the name that he has chosen.A moment later, the Pope will come out onto that balcony to greet the crowds and to give his first 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing to the city of Rome and to the world.Stay tuned to our live Vatican Radio webcast: Waiting for the Pope on YouTube.com/vaticanradio or click on the LIVE WAITING FOR THE ELECTION OF THE POPE button below.Don’t forget you can also join in our conversation wherever you are in the world on : www.facebook.com/VaticanRadioEnglishWe look forward to hearing your thoughts, your hopes and your questions in the comments section!
Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 2012 
The Roman Catholic Church has elected Archbishop  of Buenos Aires as the new pope. He is to take the   and take over from the recently retired Benedict XVI.

White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 7:06pm (Rome time) yesterday, signifying that the conclave had elected a new pope after four unsuccessful attempts. Following his election, he appeared at a balcony in  to greet crowds of onlookers.

Introducing himself in St. Peter's Square, Francis was jovial: "Brothers and sisters, good evening. You know that the work of the conclave is to give a bishop to Rome. It seems as if my brother cardinals went to find him from the end of the earth. Thank you for the welcome." He went on to say: "Let's begin this long road from the Bishop of Rome to the people. Let us all behave with love and charity. Let us pray always not just for ourselves, but for others, for everyone in the word".

Born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936 and now aged 76, the new pope became a bishop in 1992, and was elevated to cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II. As a child, he lost a lung due to an infection. He is the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas. He was the President of the Bishops' Conference of Argentina from 2005 to 2011.

US President Barack Obama made a statement about the election of the new pope: "On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I offer our warm wishes to His Holiness Pope Francis as he ascends to the Chair of Saint Peter and begins his papacy." Obama's statement noted the new pope was a "champion of the poor and the most vulnerable among us", and "as the first pope from the Americas, his selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world".

US House Speaker John Boehner also pointed out the new pope came from the Americas: "I think that reaching out beyond the traditional continent of our church is another big step in the right direction of our church." British Prime Minister David Cameron said that the papal election was "a momentous day for the 1.2 billion Catholics around the world".

The , , said the election of a new Pope was of "great significance to Christians everywhere, not least Anglicans". He went on to describe the new pope: "Pope Francis is well known as a compassionate pastor of real stature who has served the poor in Latin America, and whose simplicity and holiness of life is remarkable. He is an evangelist, sharing the love of Christ which he himself knows."

In Argentina, he was outspoken against socially liberal policies including the provision of free contraception and gay marriage. Bergoglio said plans to legalize gay marriage in Argentina were "a plan to destroy God's plan" and "a move by the father of lies to confuse and deceive the children of God".

Vatican spokesman  said Francis would be known as Pope Francis; "It will become Francis I after we have a Francis II".