THE Catholic Church has elected a new pope. He is 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
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.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio will replace Pope Benedict XVI, who stepped down last month saying he was no longer strong enough to lead the Church.
The 115 cardinals have been in isolation since Tuesday afternoon, and held four inconclusive votes before electing a Pope.
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.
"It's so emotional. We thought we were going home and the smoke was going to be black," one Catholic told the BBC. "We're so touched. It was really incredible."
"I can't explain how happy I am right now," Filipino Ben Canete told the Associated Press.
A troupe of Swiss Guards in silver helmets and full regalia marched to the Basilica in preparation for the announcement.
After his name is read out, the new Pope will emerge from the loggia overlooking the square to deliver his first speech.
He will have already accepted an invitation to become Pope and the cardinals will have sworn allegiance to him, after which he will have gone to pray alone.
The Guardian
I thought it was lionel messi.congratz to the new pope