The new Pope has been unveiled as Argentine Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, who will take the name Pope Francis I. The 76-year-old was welcomed by tens of thousands of overjoyed Catholics in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City after his election was revealed this afternoon at 6pm GMT when white smoke poured out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.Pope Francis becomes the first South American Pontiff and the first Jesuit to hold the title. His South American origin - also making him the first non-European Pope - is a significant move for the Church, taking the Papacy to a continent in which 42 per cent of the world's Catholics live. 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.
Looking out: Newly elected Pope Francis I appeared on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City before tens of thousands of excited Catholics
A first: The 76-year-old, unveiled as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, becomes both the first South American and Jesuit Pope
Talented: Pope Francis I, the first pontiff to have chosen that papal title, speaks German, Italian and Spanish. He is pictured right meeting his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI
Joker: He began his address to the crowd with a joke, saying that his brother cardinals had gathered to pick a bishop of Rome 'and they have chosen one from far away but here I am'
Joker: He began his address to the crowd with a joke, saying that his brother cardinals had gathered to pick a bishop of Rome 'and they have chosen one from far away but here I am'
Jubilation: The conclave was called after Pope Benedict XVI resigned last month for health reasons
Celebrations: Catholics react as white smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel
Overview: The thriving crowd pictured outside the Sistine Chapel eagerly anticipating the appearance of the new Pontiff on the balcony
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
Decision made: White smokes billows from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel indicating that a new Pontiff has been elected by Cardinals
Excitement: Crowds gathered beneath the chimney awaiting the symbolic smoke and applauded when white smoke finally emerged
Show of faith: One Catholic stands with a sign reading 'Viva il Papa', translated as 'Long live the Pope'
So pleased: Crowds have waited in rain and cold temperatures before being sent into rapture by the decision
Getting ready: Swiss guards enter St Peter's Square shortly before the new Pope's unveiling
Standing by: Two Swiss guards, the Pope's personal protection, standing below the balcony
With no clear frontrunner in the race to become Pope, crowds had not such an immediate decision
Ignoring the rain: Despite the grisly weather, those gathered waved flags and cheered as they awaited Benedict XVI's replacement
Historic: The visitors in Rome were hoping to witness a moment which will doubtless go down in history
Undeterred: The size of the crowd did not seem to be negatively affected by the foul weather over Rome
Sightseeing: A group of nuns in the Vatican's main square looking towards the Sistine Chapel
Crowd: Thousands of the faithful have gathered in Rome to welcome the new Pope once he is elected
Flags: Many of the bystanders were accompanied either by their national colours, left, or by the banner of the Vatican itself, right
International: The Catholics gathered in Rome have assembled from around the world for the big occasion
Pilgrim: A man kneels in prayer in a rain-slicked St Peter's Square while cardinals gather in the chapel
Disappointment: Black smoke emerged out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel around 10.40am GMT to signify the cardinals were deadlocked
No result: Smoke rose over the roofs of the Vatican to indicate that the Pope had not yet been chosen this morning
Drenched: A worshipper crosses herself as she prays in front of St Peter's Basilica during the conclave
Sodden: The faithful were soaked in the rain as they waited for confirmation of a new Pope
On duty: Even the Vatican gendarmes had to cover up to defend against the weather in St Peter's Square
First to quit in 600 years: Former pope, Benedict XVI, pictured blessing his followers for the last time as he arrived at Castel Gandolfo last
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