Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio Elected Pope, Takes Name Francis

VATICAN CITY, March 13 - White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday evening, and a short time later the Roman Catholic Church announced it had a new pope: Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, who chose the name Francis.

The 76 year old archbishop of Buenos Aires is the first pope from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere in modern times, and the first Jesuit to lead the church. He was elected on the fifth ballot, on the second day of the conclave, by the 115 cardinal electors gathered in the chapel.

White smoke appeared at about 7:06 p.m. local time, and at 8:12 p.m. Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran announced "Habemus Papam" from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to a crowd estimated at around 150,000. Rain had been falling much of the day, and many in the square held umbrellas.

When the new pope appeared, he did not give a formal blessing right away. Instead he greeted the crowd with a simple "Brothers and sisters, good evening," and asked them to pray for him before he blessed them. He wore a plain white cassock without the red cape traditionally worn by popes.

Bergoglio was long considered a leading figure in Latin America, home to nearly half of the world's Catholics. He is known for living modestly. As archbishop, he reportedly rode the bus to work and cooked his own meals. He has been outspoken about poverty and the church's responsibility to the poor.

He succeeds Benedict XVI, who resigned on Feb. 28, becoming the first pope to step down in nearly 600 years. The cardinals met after weeks of speculation that the next pope might come from Italy, Africa, or North America.

The new pope faces a church dealing with a sexual abuse scandal, questions about Vatican finances, and declining attendance in Europe. Catholics around the world said they hoped he would bring a fresh start.

Pope Francis is expected to celebrate his first Mass as pope on Thursday in the Sistine Chapel.