Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, a Jesuit, is the new pope, the first Latin American in history, taking the papal name of Francis, news agencies reported. The fact that he chose a reformer's name was seen as a signal he might make great changes in the church. Like St. Francis of Assisi, Bergoglio has been known for his simplicity, humility and rejection of material comforts. He is also the first non-European pope in history, and is an Argentinian, though of Italian ancestry. The 76-year-old pope appeared on the balcony above a packed St. Peter's Square before more than 100,000 cheering people who braved cold and rainy weather. "Dear brothers and sisters, good evening," the new pope told the crowd. "You know the duty of the conclave was to appoint a bishop of Rome and it seems to me that my brother cardinals have chosen one from far away. But here I am. "I want to thank you for your embrace." Francis asked the crowd to pray for his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who resigned last month. The successful election occurred on the second day of the conclave, on the fourth vote.
