Today the Roman Catholic Church has elected the Archbishop of Buenos Aries Jorge Mario Bergoglio to be it's next leader. In keeping with tradition Bergoglio has chosen to be known as Pope Francis the first (Francis I).
Rumoured to have narrowly missed about to Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) in 2005 Bergoglio is by all accounts a popular choice. While he isn't expected to formally start work until next Tuesday (18/3/13) and will face many challenges when he does as the first non-European Pope in I think the best part of 1000 years Begoglio represents a bold new direction for the Catholic Church.
Born of Italian parents the Argentinian is expected to both cope with the day to day running of the Chuch which is effectively based in Italy while strengthening links with South America where the majority of the world's Catholics now live. Famed for his work amongst the poor Bergoglio's appointment is also meant to signify a return to the Church's founding values of charity and compassion. Finally while nobody in the Catholic Church could ever officially endorse homosexuality Begoglio is considered to be far more tolerant then any of his peers or predecessors.
In order to encapsulate this break from tradition and the start of a new era Begoglio is the first Pope to choose an original name since around 790. Therefore he will be known as Pope Francis I.
20:25 on 13/3/13.
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