The Catholic Church has chosen the first non-european to lead it for more than 1,000 years.
The Cardinal of Buenos Aires in Argentina Jorge Bergoglio will now be known as Pope Francis.
He has arrived at a Rome Basilica this morning for private prayer on his first full day as the leader of the Roman Catholic Chuch.
The 76-year-old Argentine pope entered Santa Maria Maggiore by a side entrance in the last hour.
He is due to take part in his first mass in the Vatican later this afternoon.
Pope Francis will be formally inaugrated next week
Pope Francis will take over a Church with over 1.2 billion members around the world.
The papal inaugural mass will take place next Tuesday, March 19th and will be attended by Heads of State from around the world - including the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins.
Thousands gathered at the Vatican last night, cheering and applauding as they waited for the new Pontiff.
Speaking from a balcony facing St Peter's Square, he thanked them for the welcome:
Pope Francis will take over a Church with over 1.2 billion members around the world.
The papal inaugural mass will take place next Tuesday, March 19th and will be attended by Heads of State from around the world - including the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins.
Tributes have been pouring in from all over the world for the new Pope.
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergolio from Argentina became the first Latin American pontiff when he was elected as Benedict the 16th's successor this evening.
President Michael D. Higgins led the Irish tributes to the 76-year-old by saying that “despite the pressures and distractions of a more complex world, people all over the globe still yearn for a sense of spiritual meaning to their lives”.
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny also paid tribute. He said:
“On behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, I offer warm congratulations to Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio on his election as Pope Francis.
“He has the best wishes of all Irish people, of all traditions, as he undertakes the immense responsibility of his pontificate.
“We pray that he will have the strength, the good health and the spiritual guidance needed to lead the Catholic Church in the many challenges it faces.
“The scenes of celebration in St Peters Square are a reflection of the great hopes and best wishes of people of the Catholic faith all around the world have for the new Pope.
“The decision of the Conclave in choosing the first Pope from the Americas is of particular significance as a symbolic expression of the global nature of the Catholic Church and of the 21st century world.
“The people of Ireland also send our congratulations to the people of Argentina, a country with which Ireland shares many historic bonds, on this occasion of great honour and pride for their nation”.
Tributes have also been pouring in from further afield.
US President Barack Obama issued the following statement after Pope Francis was unveiled to the world:
“On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I offer our warm wishes to His Holiness Pope Francis as he ascends to the Chair of Saint Peter and begins his papacy. As a champion of the poor and the most vulnerable among us, he carries forth the message of love and compassion that has inspired the world for more than two thousand years-that in each other we see the face of God. As the first pope from the Americas, his selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world, and alongside millions of Hispanic Americans, those of us in the United States share the joy of this historic day. Just as I appreciated our work with Pope Benedict XVI, I look forward to working with His Holiness to advance peace, security and dignity for our fellow human beings, regardless of their faith. We join with people around the world in offering our prayers for the Holy Father as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church in our modern world”.
