The Argentine Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the Supreme Pontiff after the conclave held in the Sistine Chapel. He will receive the name of Francisco I.
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, of Argentina, was elected Supreme Pontiff at the age of 76 after the conclave held in the Sistine Chapel. He will receive the name of Francisco I.
The announcement was made by the cardinal protodeacon, the Frenchman Jean Louis Tauran, who made the formal announcement in the blessing lodge of St. Peter's Basilica.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio becomes the 266th pope in the history of Catholicism, while the apostle Peter was the first to be so.
Thousands of people witnessed the presentation of the successor of Benedict XVI, who resigned on February 11 and became 'pope emeritus'.
The last time two living people assumed the position of Supreme Pontiff was in the 15th century, when Celestine V resigned on December 13, 1294 and Boniface VIII took office on December 24 of that same year. Celestine was alive until May 19, 1296.
Here is the list of the last ten popes before Jorge Mario Bergoglio:
Benedict XVI (Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, April 2005/February 2013). Eight years of pontificate. Of German nationality, he was the “theologian pope”, considered an intellectual and a great expert on dogma. He surprised with his decision to resign – an unprecedented event in seven centuries – alleging “lack of strength.” He has the title of “pope emeritus” and will live in the Vatican with his successor.
John Paul II (Karol Jozef Wojtyla, October 1978/April 2005). 26 years. First non-Italian pope since Hadrian VI (16th century) and the only Polish pope. His pontificate was one of the longest in history.
John Paul I (Albino Luciani, August 1978/September 1978). He died suddenly 33 days after his election.
Paul VI (Giovanni Battista Montini, June 1963/August 1978). 15 years. He named his three successors cardinals.
John XXIII (Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, October 1958/June 1963). Five years. He was the architect of the Second Vatican Council, which renewed the Church.
Pius XII (Eugenio Pacelli, March 1939/October 1958). 19 years. He was pope during World War II and was accused by historians and the Jewish community of remaining silent about the Nazi Holocaust.
Pius XI (Achille Ratti, February 1922/February 1939). 17 years. He faced the emergence of communism and fascism in Europe.
Benedict XV (Giacomo della Chiesa, September 1914/January 1922). Eight years. He carried out great diplomatic activity during the First World War.
Pius X (Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, August 1903/August 1914). Eleven years. First pope since the 16th century to be canonized.
Leo XIII (Vincenzo Gioacchino Pecci, February 1878/July 1903). 25 years. He was a great defender of the social doctrine of the Church.
