Thousands gathered in hopes of hearing the announcement of a new pope today. When the puff of white smoke emanated from the Vatican, they were not disappointed.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected to become the new leader of the Vatican, and in doing so, has become part of the record books. Bergoglio is the the first pope to hail from South America.
From now on he will be known as Pope Francis, and the cardinals have sent a clear message about the future of the church. By electing a pope from South America, the Catholic Church is making it clear that they plan on appealing to the global south, a region that the majority of the world's Catholic's call home.
Francis has become the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church's 2000-year history. He is a conservative who has openly spoken out against gay marriage, though is also considered to be a reformer amongst the clergy. In 2010 he was quoted as saying that gay marriage was "an attempt to destroy God's plan."
"I would like to thank you for your embrace," said the new pope as he addressed the thousands cheering joyously below at St. Peter's Basilica. "My brother cardinals have chosen one who is from far away, but here I am."
Francis is known as a voice for the poor who started out from very meager beginnings. He was born to two Italian immigrants and was raised in Argentina's capitol of Buenos Aires.
President Obama was quick to address the crowning of Pope Francis
"As a champion of the poor and the most vulnerable among us, he carries forth the message of love and compassion that has inspired the world for more than two thousand years - that in each other we see the face of God. As the first pope from the Americas, his selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world, and alongside millions of Hispanic Americans, those of us in the United States share the joy of this historic day."
This election of a new pope comes at a critical time for the Catholic Church, which has been embroiled in a sex scandal for some time now. The Italian newspaper La Repubblica has reported that a primary reason for Pope Benedict XVI's departure was the damning evidence of an internal investigation by the church into allegations of sexual and financial impropriety.
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