The Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Bergoglio, has been elected as the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
The 76 year old, who will take the name Pope Francis, is the first Latin American and Jesuit to become pontiff.
Pope Francis replaces Benedict XVI, who resigned last month saying that he was not strong enough to continue.
Reaction
The appointment has been welcomed by religious leaders and politicians in the UK, with David Cameron describing it as “momentous day” for Catholics around the world.
Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales described the election as a moment of "excitement”.
Strengths
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: “He [Pope Francis] certainly brings some things you can see immediately are great strengths.”
“He's from an Italian family; he's from a working-class background, yet he studied in Germany so he understands European academic life thoroughly. He's a trained chemist and therefore brings together in himself the world of science and religion, which in our eyes is so often opposed.
“And all of these things together with years of pastoral service of the poor make a remarkable combination and add to that tinge of excitement that we all feel.”
Significance
Archbishop Welby, the Anglican primate of All England, said the choice of a new pontiff was of “great significance to Christians everywhere, not least Anglicans”.
"We wish Pope Francis every blessing in the enormous responsibilities that he has assumed on behalf of Roman Catholics around the world.
“We have long since recognised and often reaffirmed that our churches hold a special place for one another. I look forward to meeting Pope Francis, and to walking and working together to build on the consistent legacy of our predecessors.”
Compassionate
He added: “Pope Francis is well known as a compassionate pastor of real stature who has served the poor in Latin America, and whose simplicity and holiness of life is remarkable. He is an evangelist, sharing the love of Christ which he himself knows.”
In 2010 Pope Francis spoke out in favour of traditional marriage and expressed strong disapproval of a bill introducing same-sex marriages and permitting adoption by homosexual couples in Argentina.
Sources