A new pope has been elected on March 13, 2013. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio will be known as Pope Francis. He was chosen by cardinals to be the Holy Father, a month after Pope Benedict XVI resigned.
At approximately 2:07 p.m. ET on Wednesday, smoke rose from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel in Rome.
CNN reports that Bergoglio is the first pope from outside of Europe in the modern era. He is the first South American pope, and the third straight non-Italian pope.
Rain fell in St Peter's Square, but it didn't stop thousands of people from gathering to find out who the new pope is.
NBC reports that cheers of joy erupted when the white smoke started to rose and bells rang out, and the crowd got even louder when the Pope Francis emerged.
The decision to elect Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio to become the 266th pontiff was made by 115 cardinal-electors in a process that took two days.
Billions of Catholics world-wide have been anxiously awaiting their decision that has been kept secret until Monday afternoon when he appeared on the balcony of the chapel, greeting those who gathered in the square.
Before he revealed himself to the crowds, an announcement of "Habemus Papam" ("We have a pope!") was made to introduce him to the world.
Pope Francis, 76, is the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.
FOX News reports that Rev. Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, stated that Pope Francis would be installed next Tuesday, on the feast of St. Joseph.
Comments