The scene at the Vatican as Pope Francis emerges on the balcony at St. Peter's Basilica. (Photo: Johannes Eisele, AFP/Getty Images) Story Highlights Lawmakers react to election of new pope on Twitter
Congress shares joy with Catholics around the world
New pope is first from Argentina
WASHINGTON — For one day at least, the election of a new pope has brought together members of Congress regardless of party or religion.
Their good wishes about Pope Francis — the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires — spilled out on Capitol Hill via news releases and Twitter feeds. Some House Republicans heard about the new pope from President Obama, who announced the news during their closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill, according to Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y.
STORY: Cardinal from Argentina elected pope
The election of a pontiff with so many historic firsts to his credit even raised the possibility that the fractious Congress might learn a thing or two from the Vatican conclave as it deals with the federal budget.
"I'm looking for a little white smoke out of the Capitol here by the end of the summer," said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, as he emerged from a Senate Budget Committee hearing.
Sen. Angus King of Maine, an independent, joked that the Vatican might become a model for Congress to get its work done — by locking lawmakers in a room "with 500-year-old plumbing" and not letting anyone leave until a decision is made.
At a news conference, House Speaker John Boehner — the highest ranking Catholic in Congress — offered his congratulations to the first pontiff from South America. "I'm happy that they were able to come to a choice as quickly as they did," said Boehner, R-Ohio. "I think that reaching out beyond the traditional continent of our church is another big step in the right direction of our church."
Boehner later said in a statement that he was inspired that the new pope is named Francis for "the saint who lived a simple life of humility and charity" and who set "an example for how to make God's love visible to all, especially those in despair or pain."
Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, who is Catholic, said on Twitter that he is hopeful Pope Francis "guides the Catholic Church in a direction underscored by greater inclusion and equality in the world."
Another Catholic, GOP Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, essentially live-tweeted the announcement to his 353,521 followers once the white smoke was seen at the Vatican. He began with the Latin phrase "habemus papam," which signals the election of a new pope.
MORE: President Obama sends best wishes
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Americans offer to Pope Francis good wishes of "health, happiness and strength in facing up to the responsibilities and the burdens of his office."
On his Twitter feed, Sen. Charles Schumer of New York said he is "hopeful that Pope Francis will help foster peace and spirituality across the globe." Schumer, the No. 3 Democratic leader, is Jewish.
Bergoglio is the first pope from Argentina, which sparked at least one reference to a scandal by an American politician. Scott English, former chief of staff to ex-South Carolina governor Mark Sanford, tweeted, "See, nobody complains when the College of Cardinals goes to Argentina."
That is an indirect reference to Sanford's extramarital affair with an Argentine journalist, who is the fiancée of the congressional candidate.
(Contributing: Alan Gomez, Jackie Kucinich)
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".