Pope Francis I

March 14, 2013 (Philippine time)

Manila, Philippines - 2:15AM here in the Philippines, white smoke came out from the chimney which symbolizes the College of Cardinals has elected a new Pope. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is the new Pope, archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, takes the name Pope Francis. He's the first ever Pope from South America. He's the first Jesuit pontiff.

Pope Francis first message:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Good evening.

As you know, the duty of the conclave was to appoint a bishop of Rome, and it seems to me that my brother cardinals have chosen who is from far away. Here I am.

I would like to thank you for your embrace, also to the Roman Catholic Church and the bishops, thank you very much. And first and foremost, I would like to pray for our bishop emeritus, Benedict XVI

Let us pray together for him so that he is blessed by the Lord...

Let us begin this journey together... this journey for the Roman Catholic Church. It is a journey of friendship, of love, of trust, and faith. Let us pray always for one another. Let us pray for the whole world. Let us have a big brotherhood.

I wish that this journey for the Church, which we will start today... will bear fruits for the evangelizing of this beautiful city.

I would like to offer you my blessing. But I would like to ask a favor first. I would like to pray to the Lord so that the prayer of the people blesses also the new pontiff. Let us pray in silence your prayer for me.