Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina has been elected pope, placing him as the spiritual leader to more than 1.2 billion Roman Catholic followers. Bergoglio — who chose the name Pope Francis — is the first pope to be born in the Americas.
The 266th pope is regarded as a modern pope, being non-Italian, non-European and born in South America.
As the long-time archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio has been regarded by Argentinians as humble, with good reason. As a cardinal, he chose to live in a small apartment rather than a more luxurious residence, chose to take public transportation instead of a limousine and he cooked his own meals.
That humility and his dedication to helping people in need and the disenfranchised poverty is likely why he chose the name “Francis,” after St. Francis of Assisi, who also chose a humble life, serving the poor and forgotten, according to Vatican onlookers.
After more than two days of tallying votes, white smoke rose from the temporary chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday evening at the Vatican, signaling the end to the search for a new pope.
The chimney was installed to allow the results of the papal conclave — the collection of all the cardinals from around the world — to be reported to onlookers. By tradition, black smoke signals a decision has not been made, the white smoke comes after the pope is selected. It took five votes by the cardinals to choose the new pope.
Newly elected Pope Francis appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the crowd gathered at St. Peter’s Square.
The crowd could be heard chanting “Viva il Papa” or “Long live the Pope.”
Pope Francis addressed the cheering crowd, thanking them for their warm response.
“As you know, the duty of the conclave was to appoint a bishop of Rome. It seems to me that my brother cardinals have chosen one who is from far away. Here I am. I would like to thank you for your embrace,” Pope Francis said.