New Pope: Jorge Mario Bergoglio to be known as Pope Francis
Pope Francis Argentine cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio has been named as the new Pope
ARGENTINIAN Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio has been elected the new Pope. He will be known as Pope Francis.
Pope Francis is 76.
He is the first Jesuit to be elected Pope and the first to hail from Latin America. He is the first non-European pontiff in 1000 years.
He will be known simply as Pope Francis, not Pope Francis I. "It will become Francis I after we have a Francis II," Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said.
Bells rang across St Peter's Square this morning as white smoke billowed from atop the Sistine Chapel signaling the Catholic Church and its 1.2 billion followers had a new pope.
After four inconclusive ballots, the crowd of several tens of thousands of onlookers who had been standing in incessant rain in the Vatican’s square for most of the day cheered in wild jubilation at the news Argentinian cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio had been elected to become the 266th pope.
"Viva il Papa," was chanted by the crowd over and over until one hour after the smoke Pope Francis appeared on the balcony to be greeted by a deafening roar.
It was a massive surprise to most whom had expected that after such a quick voting process, Italian Cardinal Angelo Scola and his close connection to the Vatican would be the obvious choice.
Instead the 115 of the world Catholic cardinals went, with a minimum two thirds majority, for the Argentinian who has spent his entire career at home in Buenos Aires and who reportedly came unofficial second in 2005 papal elections to the eventual pope then Benedict XVI.
In his first words after the election he said it seemed his brother cardinals had "gone to the end of the world" to choose him.
"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 said.
Standing on the balcony to address the crowd, Pope Francis asked the faithful to pray for him as he thanked former pope Benedict, who dramatically stepped down last month to prompt the election, for all he had done and called for brotherhood in the church. He then blessed the city and "all men and women of goodwill".
Who is Pope Francis?
Handing the pontiff’s cap to a Latin American, a region with the world’s largest share of Catholics, will be the first step in reviving the church and giving its power base to where the masses live.
Pope Francis was recognised widely within the broader church for his self-effacing humility as well as leadership and was credited with modernising the church in Argentina which had been one of the most conservative.
Pope Francis joined the Jesuit Order in 1958, where he studied philosophy, literature and psychology.
He became a priest in 1969 and became a professor of theology.
He was promoted through the ranks of the Jesuits and became Cardinal in 2001.
Pope Francis is known as a doctrinal conservative and a believer in social justice. His reputation for humility has been supported by his simple lifestyle.
As Cardinal of the Catholic Church in Argentina, he passed on the right to have a chauffeured limousine and instead used public transport. Instead of a bishop's palace, he lived in a small apartment. He also reportedly cooked his own meals.
Francis has also shown a keen political sensibility as well as the kind of self-effacing humility that fellow cardinals value highly, according to his official biographer, Sergio Rubin.
He showed that humility today, saying that before he blessed the crowd he wanted their prayers for him and bowed his head.
"Good night, and have a good rest," he said before going back into the palace.
Video tour of the conclave in 60 seconds A sped up version of Vatican TV's recreation of the passage the cardinals will take as they arrive at the conclave to elect the next pope. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).
White smoke pope elected
The white smoke emitted at 7.06pm local time (5.06am AEDT), was at first only small leading to some initial confusion but then it billowed strongly in the rain, it was unmistakable, to the triumphant cheers and delight and flag waving from the throng. And if there was still doubt the bells of St Peter’s Basilica rang out.
Across Rome, bars and restaurants were broadcasting the news live and the cheers and applause could be heard everywhere.
Then something of a stampede an half an hour after the news as thousands more Italians flocked to the square on news it was an Italian who had been elected.
In traditional pomp an Italian military band marched with the Swiss Guards carrying the flag with the Pope’s seal to the front of the Vatican, shielded from the masses by wooden fences erected earlier in the day.
They crowds cheered again when the doors to the loggia opened, and again when Cardinal Bergoglio's name was announced.
"I can't explain how happy I am right now," said Ben Canete, a 32-year-old Filipino, jumping up and down in excitement.
Earlier in the day, black smoke was emitted from arguably the most watched roof in the world signifying consensus based on 77 votes from 115 ballots had not been achieved during the second and third ballot.
Vatican spokesman Frederico Lombardi said the delay did not necessarily mean there were "divisions or conflicts" saying selection simply took time.
Who was Saint Francis?
Francis, the name the new pope has chosen, is a much-beloved Italian saint who is identified with peace, poverty and a simple lifestyle.
This is the first pontiff to adopt the name of Francis, the rich young man from Assisi who renounced wealth and founded the Franciscan order of friars in 1290.
The choice could foretell the pope's priorities in striving to bring a sense of serenity to the troubled church. St. Francis is said to have been called by God to repair a church in ruins.
Choosing the name of one of Italy's patron saints also ties the new pope to Italy, the homeland of all popes of the last few centuries until 1978.
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".