Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the new leader of the Catholic Church Wednesday.
At approximately 2:05 p.m. on Wednesday white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City announcing the new pope. Bergoglio, who will be known as Pope Francis, is the 266th head of the church.
Following protocol, French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran announced “Habemus Papam,” which means “we have a pope” in Latin, from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Shortly after the white smoke emerged the social media world went crazy with tweets and facebook posts speculating about who the new pope would be. The Pope’s twitter account was even re-activated changing from “Sede Vacante” to “Pontifex”.
Pope Francisco addressed the crowd, and television cameras, speaking from the balcony praying for the church, the crowds, and his predecessor Benedict as the crowds waved and cheered welcoming the new leader of the Catholic Church.
Below are some highlights documenting this momentous occasion.
Traci Oshiro