VATICAN CITY
Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio became the new leader of the Catholic world on Wednesday.
French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran on Wednesday stepped out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and said "Habemus Papam" ("We have a pope") and introduced the 266th pope.
Bergoglio received two-third of the votes of 115 cardinals and was elected as the new pope.
Bergoglio chose the name "Francis".
The 76-year-old new pope was elected as the pontiff of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was promoted to the rank of cardinal in 2001.
Bergoglio was one of five children of an Italian railroad worker and was born in Buenos Aires. He joined the church in 1958.
Bergoglio received education on philosophy, psychology and literature. He became a priest in 1969.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio is known for his modesty and simple life.
Pope Francis addresses crowd at St. Peter's Basilica
In an address to the crowd waiting at the St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis underlined that the whole world should make progress on the path to love and brotherhood.
"I want you to bless me," Pope Francis told a crowd of about 50,000 people.
Pope Francis I became the second pope to receive the highest amount of votes after Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.
Following a brief silent prayer at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis wished everyone good night and left the balcony.
Pope Francis is known with his views against abortion, euthanasia and gay marriages.
Pope Francis is famous with his distanced attitude towards the press and not giving interviews.
Pope Francis's name comes from St. Francis of Assisi who lived in the 13th century and was known as a person helping the poor.
The new pope will attend his first mass at the Sistine Chapel on Thursday.
EU congratulates Pope Francis for becoming the new leader of Catholic world
Meanwhile, European Union (EU) congratulated Pope Francis for becoming the new leader of the Catholic world.
In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the President of European Council Herman van Rompuy and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso wished Pope Francis a long and successful tenure in promoting peace and solidarity and in defending the basic values of human dignity.
