Hundreds of thousands of onlookers stand in a very wet Vatican City today as white smoke has already come out of the chimney. Our new Pope, Argentinian Jorge Mario Bergoglio, has been elected; just two days into the conclave due to Pope Benedict XVI's resignation. His chosen name: Pope Francis.
The Catholic community was stunned when Pope Benedict XVI became the first pope to resign since Pope Gregory XII in 1415, and the first to do so on his own initiative since Pope Celestine V in 1294.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio is a surprise decision coming from the conclave, with front-runners Odilo Scherer, Brazil; and Angelo Scola, Italy clearly coming in behind the new leader of the Catholic church.
The name of the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church was not revealed until he appeared on a balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. The new Pope has his hands full not only as he succeeds a Pope that chose to resign, but also in light of the many controversies facing the Catholic church in this modern era.
Only time will show us if this new Pope can do what Pope Benedict XVI felt he no longer could.
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