Argentine Jorge Bergoglio was elected pope Wednesday and chose the
papal name Francis, becoming first pontiff from the Americas and the
first from outside Europe in more than a millennium.
A stunned-looking Bergoglio shyly waved to the crowd of tens of
thousands of people who gathered in St. Peter’s Square, marveling that
the cardinals had had to look to “the end of the earth” to find a bishop
of Rome.
He asked for prayers for himself, and for retired Pope Benedict XVI,
whose stunning resignation paved the way for the tumultuous conclave
that brought the first Jesuit to the papacy. The cardinal electors
overcame deep divisions to select the 266th pontiff in a remarkably fast
conclave.
Bergoglio had reportedly finished second in the 2005 conclave that
produced Benedict — who last month became the first pope to resign in
600 years.
After announcing “Habemus Papum” — “We have a pope!” — a cardinal
standing on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday revealed
the identity of the new pontiff, using his Latin name.
The 76-year-old archbishop of Buenos Aires has spent nearly his
entire career at home in Argentina, overseeing churches and shoe-leather
priests.
Tens of thousands of people who braved cold rain to watch the
smokestack atop the Sistine Chapel jumped in joy when white smoke poured
out a few minutes past 7 p.m., many shouting “Habemus Papam!” or “We
have a pope!” — as the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica and churches across
Rome pealed.
Chants of “Long live the pope!” arose from the throngs of faithful,
many with tears in their eyes. Crowds went wild as the Vatican and
Italian military bands marched through the square and up the steps of
the basilica, followed by Swiss Guards in silver helmets and full
regalia.
They played the introduction to the Vatican and Italian anthems and
the crowd, which numbered at least 50,000, joined in, waving flags from
countries around the world.
“I can’t explain how happy I am right down,” said Ben Canete, a 32-year-old Filipino, jumping up and down in excitement.
Elected on the fifth ballot, Francis was chosen in one of the fastest
conclaves in years, remarkable given there was no clear front-runner
going into the vote and that the church had been in turmoil following
the upheaval unleashed by Pope Benedict XVI’s surprise resignation.
A winner must receive 77 votes, or two-thirds of the 115, to be named pope.
For comparison’s sake, Benedict was elected on the fourth ballot in
2005 — but he was the clear front-runner going into the vote. Pope John
Paul II was elected on the eighth ballot in 1978 to become the first
non-Italian pope in 455 years.
Patrizia Rizzo ran down the main boulevard to the piazza with her two
children as soon as she heard the news on the car radio. “I parked the
car … and dashed to the square, she said. “It’s so exciting, as Romans
we had to come.”