A first: The 76-year-old, unveiled as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, becomes both the first South American and Jesuit Pope
The new Pope has been unveiled as Argentine Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, who will take the name Pope Francis I.
The 76-year-old was welcomed by tens of thousands of overjoyed Catholics in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City after his election was revealed this afternoon at 6pm GMT when white smoke poured out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.
Pope Francis becomes the first South American Pontiff and the first Jesuit to hold the title. His South American origin is a significant move for the Church, taking the Papacy to a continent in which 42 per cent of the world's Catholics live.
The reformist becomes the third non-Italian Pope in a row, having being born and spent his life in the Argentinian capital.
Joker: He began his address to the crowd with a joke, saying that his brother cardinals had gathered to pick a bishop of Rome 'and they have chosen one from far away but here I am'
Talented: Pope Francis I, the first pontiff to have chosen that papal title, speaks German, Italian and Spanish
Celebrations: Catholics react as white smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel
Decision made: White smokes billows from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel indicating that a new Pontiff has been elected by Cardinals
He began his address to the crowd with a joke, saying that his brother cardinals had gathered to pick a bishop of Rome 'and they have chosen one from far away but here I am'. He then asked for prayers for his living predecessor.
He said: 'First and foremost I would like to pray for our emeritus Pope Benedict XVI that Christ and the Madonna watch over him.
'Let us being this journey together, this journey for the Roman Catholic Church. It's a journey of friendship and love and faith between us. Let us pray for one another, let us pray for all the world.'
Then he asks the crowd to be silent for a moment and pray for him as he accepted his new position. 'I'd ask you to pray to God so that he can bless me,' Pope Francis said, leading a silent prayer, followed by a loud cheer from the crowd.
He said that the world 'should set off on a path of love and fraternity', leaving the address by saying to the crowds: 'Good night and I wish you a peaceful rest.'
Pope Francis is multilingual, speaking German, Spanish and Italian.
Tens of thousands cheered in St. Paul's Square at the sight of the symbolic plumes, announcing that the successor to Benedict XVI had finally been chosen after two days of intense voting.
After hours braving the cold rain, the huge crowd chanted 'Habemus Papam' and 'We have a pope' - as the bells of St. Peter's Basilica and other churches across Rome pealed.
As excitement grew before the Pope Francis's imminent appearance on the loggia, the crowd repeated the refrain 'Viva il Papa' - translated as 'Long live the Pope'.
The new Pope was dressed in his papal robes and joined in prayer with the other cardinals before his appearance.
The conclave was called after Pope Benedict XVI resigned last month for health reasons, sending the church into turmoil and exposing deep divisions among cardinals tasked with finding a replacement to address issues within the church.
Getting ready: Swiss guards enter St Peter's Square shortly before the new Pope's unveiling
Jubilation: The conclave was called after Pope Benedict XVI resigned last month for health reasons
Standing by: Two Swiss guards, the Pope's personal protection, standing below the balcony
Excitement: Crowds gathered beneath the chimney awaiting the symbolic smoke and applauded when white smoke finally emerged
Giving thanks: One Catholic in the Vatican City raised his hands and looked to the skies as the white smoke signified a decision had been made
Show of faith: One Catholic stands with a sign reading 'Viva il Papa', translated as 'Long live the Pope'
So pleased: Crowds have waited in rain and cold temperatures before being sent into rapture by the decision
Overview: The thriving crowd pictured outside the Sistine Chapel eagerly anticipating the appearance of the new Pontiff on the balcony
With no clear frontrunner in the race to become Pope, crowds had not such an immediate decision
Applause: As the white smoke emerged from the chimney, thousands of Catholics burst into applause at the unexpected decision
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2292549/Papal-conclave-New-Pope-76-year-old-Argentine-Jorge-Bergoglio-Archbishop-Buenos-Aires-announced-world-266th-pontiff.html#ixzz2NS6BBeMr
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