Habemos Papam: Pope Francesco: Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires Argentina. Argetinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio has been elected the 266th pope - leader of the Roman Catholic Church with 1.2 billion members.
Francis I was elected on Wednesday on the second day of the conclave, after receiving the required two-thirds majority, or at least 77 votes of the 115 cardinal electors from 48 countries. Francis I is the first Jesuit pope and first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church.
From his first speech: First words of Pope Francis: "Let us begin this journey together... this journey for the Roman Catholic Church. It is a journey of friendship, of love, of trust, and faith. Let us pray always for one another. Let us pray for the whole world. Let us have a big brotherhood.
I wish that this journey for the Church, which we will start today... will bear fruits for the evangelizing of this beautiful city.
I would like to offer you my blessing. But I would like to ask a favor first. I would like to pray to the Lord so that the prayer of the people blesses also the new pontiff. Let us pray in silence your prayer for me."
