Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected as Supreme Pontiff of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, the Vatican announced Thursday.
White smoke emerged at 2:05 a.m. PHL time from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, where 115 cardinals gathered to elect a new pope Tuesday.
Pope (NAME) succeeds Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned on February 28 amid daunting problems facing the Church at one of the most difficult periods in its history.
From the Hall of Blessings of the Vatican Basilica, the Cardinal proto-deacon made the solemn announcement about the election of the new pope, who became the 265th successor of Saint Peter.
