Pope Francis

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Jubilation: The conclave was called after Pope Benedict XVI resigned last month for health reasons

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Celebrations: Catholics react as white smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel

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Overview: The thriving crowd pictured outside the Sistine Chapel eagerly anticipating the appearance of the new Pontiff on the balcony

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Giving thanks: One Catholic in the Vatican City raised his hands and looked to the skies as the white smoke signified a decision had been made

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Decision made: White smoke billows from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel indicating that a new Pontiff has been elected by Cardinals

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Change: Jorge Bergoglio pictured addressing the huge crowds in the Vatican last night and as a young priest in 1973


The multilingual Pope's birthplace will be seen as a significant move for the Church, taking the Papacy to a continent in which 42 per cent of the world's Catholics live.

It also poses a diplomatic puzzle for Britain, which went to war with Argentina when Bergoglio was rising through the ranks of his national church.
He is first non-European Pope since the Syrian Gregory III in 731.

Known as an avid reformer, he becomes the third non-Italian Pope in a row, having being born and spent his life in the Argentinian capital.