The Catholic Church has elected a new Pope. He is Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the 76-year-old Archbishop of Buenos Aires. He is the first pope of the Americas, and will be known as Pope Francis I after one of the most iconic figures in the Catholic Church; St. Francis of Assisi.
An hour earlier, white smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel chimney announced to the world that Cardinals gathered inside had made their choice. Crowds in St Peter’s Square cheered and bells rang out as the smoke appeared.”Habemus Papam” (We have a Pope) the message went out!
Jorge Mario Bergoglio will replace Pope Benedict XVI, who stepped down last month saying he was no longer strong enough to lead the Church. Cardinal Bergoglio; a man of very humble disposition was the runner-up to Pope Benedict XVI during the 2005 conclave that elected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
The new Pope was elected after four inconclusive votes by the 115 cardinals who have been in isolation since Tuesday afternoon. Pope Francis is the first Pope from the Catholic Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Before the conclave began, there was no clear frontrunner to replace Benedict. Crowds with umbrellas massed in the square flying flags from around the world.
A troupe of Swiss Guards in silver helmets and full regalia marched to the Basilica in preparation for the announcement. After his name was read out, the new Pope emerged from the loggia overlooking the square to deliver his first speech. He had already accepted an invitation to become Pope and the cardinals had sworn allegiance to him, after which he went and prayed alone in the Pauline Chapel.
The new Pope is said to be a straight shooter and a staunch supporter of the Catholic Church’s most conservative wing. He is known to have given up his residence and took a private apartment in downtown Buenos Aires where he took the bus every day to and from work, giving him a touch of simplicity and love for the common man.
The Vatican has announced that his first visit as Pope will be to Brazil; the country with the highest number of Catholics in the world.
