Pope Francis I on the Vatican balcony immediately after the Papal announcement.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, SJ of Argentina (born December 17, 1936) is the current pope of the Roman Catholic Church, elected on March 13, 2013 and taking the regnal name of Francis. Prior to his election, he served as an Argentine cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He has served as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires since 1998, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 2001. SJ represents The Society of Jesus — a Christian male religious order of the Roman Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits and are also known colloquially as “God’s Marines.”
Views
Opposes abortion
Opposes euthanasia
Respects gay or lesbian individuals, but opposes legislation for same-sex marriage
Pope Francis I is the first Pope born in the Americas, and the first Pope from the Southern Hemisphere. As Cardinal, Bergoglio became known for personal humility, doctrinal conservatism and a commitment to social justice. He lived a simple lifestyle — choosing a small apartment, rather than a palatial bishop’s residence. He is known to travel by public bus to get around, giving up his chauffeured limousine in favor of public transportation. He also often cooked his own meals.
The regnal name is formal name used by some monarchs and popes during their reigns. “Francis” is a reference his discipleship to the spiritual disciplines of Saint Francis of Assisi.
My brother Cardinals went to the ends of the world to find a new Pope.
— Francis I
White smoke from the chimney of Sistine Chapel (FOX News video still frame).
Habemus Papam: Pope Francis Introduced to World.
LIVE VIDEO from Vatican’s Sistine Chapel …
At 1:07 p.m. Chicago time (7:07 p.m. local time in Rome) there was white smoke coming from Sistine Chapel. At Roman Square, people were cheering, while holding umbrellas on a cold, wintry night. Church bells were ringing, as they were here at Catholic churches in Arlington Heights.
About 74 minutes later came the announcement. The Habemus Papam: We Have a New Pope. He is Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina. Pope Francis I.
Tens of thousands of people who braved cold rain to watch the smokestack atop the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City jumped in joy when white smoke poured out, many shouting ‘Habemus Papam!’ or ‘We have a Pope!’ or “Viva il Papa!”
Cardinal Jorge M. Bergoglio SJ, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, celebrating mass at the XX Exposición del Libro Católico (20th Catholic Book Fair), in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Crowds cheer in Roman Square.
White smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney signals the Catholic church has chosen a new Pope.
For hours Wednesday, a persistent seagull perched on the copper chimney atop the Sistine Chapel — the one that bellows smoke from the burning conclave ballots.
Cardinals entering the Sistine Chapel for the conclave to elect the next pope earlier this week.
See also …
Discord Remains at Vatican as Pope Benedict Departs
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