Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina elected pope

VATICAN CITY – Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected pope on Wednesday to lead the Roman Catholic Church, a prelate announced to huge crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square.

French cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran made the announcement from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica.

He took the name Pope Francis, the cardinal said.

Argentinian cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio became the first ever pope from the Americas in the history of the Church.

Cardinals elected Bergoglio on just the second day of a secret conclave to find a successor to Pope Benedict, who abdicated unexpectedly last month.

Source: ABS-CBN news