Members of the media take photos of a pilgrim in St. Peter's Square during a mass at St. Peter's Basilica attended by cardinals before sequestering themselves in the Sistine Chapel for the conclave to elect the next pope at the Vatican, Tuesday, March 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Members of the media take photos of a pilgrim in St. Peter's Square during a mass at St. Peter's Basilica attended by cardinals before sequestering themselves in the Sistine Chapel for the conclave to elect the next pope at the Vatican, Tuesday, March 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
A faithful holds a rosary while waiting for smoke to rise from a chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel during the second day of voting for the election of a new pope, at the Vatican. Photo: Reuters
Crowds gather in front of St. Peter's Basilica in St. Peter's Square as they wait for smoke from the Sistine Chapel during the second day of the conclave to elect a new pope at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Faithfuls gather as they wait for the newly elected pope to appear on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican after being elected by the conclave of cardinals. Photo: Reuters
A woman holds a cross as she waits in St. Peter's Square on the second day of the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican. Photo: AP
White smoke emerges from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. The white smoke indicates that the new pope has been elected. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
White smoke rises from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel indicating that a new pope has been elected at the Vatican. Photo: Reuters
A nun reacts after white smoke billowed from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel indicating that a new pope has been elected in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. Photo: Reuters
Faithful cheer as white smoke rises from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, indicating a new pope has been elected at the Vatican. Photo: Reuters
Newly elected Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Photo: Reuters
People react after white smoke billowed from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel indicating that a new pope has been elected in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. Photo: Reuters
Frank Paradox, 68, prays in front of the Virgin of Guadalupe after learning of the newly elected Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Faithful react as newly elected Pope Francis I, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican after being elected by the conclave of cardinals. Photo: Reuters
Faithful react as newly elected Pope Francis I, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican after being elected by the conclave of cardinals. Photo: Reuters
Faithful cheer as white smoke rises from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, indicating a new pope has been elected at the Vatican. Photo: Reuters
A man prays at the Baby Jesus Church in Bogota, Colombia. Photo: AP
A faithful holds a rosary while waiting for smoke to rise from a chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel during the second day of voting for the election of a new pope, at the Vatican. Photo: Reuters
Faithful cheer as white smoke rises from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, indicating a new pope has been elected at the Vatican. Photo: Reuters
Newly elected Pope Francis I (C), Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, in a photograph released by Osservatore Romano at the Vatican. Photo: Reuters
Newly elected Pope Francis (C), Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, at the Vatican. Photo: Reuters
Newly elected Pope Francis (L), Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, at the Vatican. Photo: Reuters
Newly elected Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina (L, white), appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, at the Vatican. Photo: Reuters
Newly elected Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, at the Vatican. Photo: Reuters
Faithful wave Argentina's flag after white smoke rose from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, indicating a new pope has been elected at the Vatican. Photo: Reuters
Two men pray at the Cathedral in Managua, Nicaragua. Photo: AP
Elsi de Jesus Cabrera reacts after the announcement of the newly elected Pope Francis I, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, at the Metropolitan Cathedral in San Salvador. Photo: Reuters
Published Mar 14, 2013
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Tens of thousands of Catholics flocked to the Vatican City to witness Jorge Mario Bergoglio's unveiling as Pope Francis.
The Argentine son of an Italian railway worker was chosen as the 266th pontiff on the fifth ballot of the conclave of cardinals, with the Sistine Chapel's symbolic white smoke revealing the decision.
To the cardinals who chose him, it is hoped the 76-year-old's election will be a watershed moment for the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. - Daily Mail