They jammed St. Peter's Square, enduring rain, and an hours-long wait until finally….from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. (smoke) Unmistakable puffs of white smoke - the age-old sign that a new pope had been chosen caused the crowd to erupt in cheers . (cheers and applause)<br/> <br />And then, the moment vatican watchers worldwide had been waiting for. (red curtain open)<br/> <br />Argentina's Jorge Mario Bergoglio --- a 76-year-old cardinal --- would be the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.<br/> <br />(NAT POP Buona Sera - cheers)<br/> <br />His selection was a surprise to many who assumed the next pope would be younger. He's the first non-European pope since the 8th century to lead the church's 1.2 billion faithful.<br/> <br />The South American cardinal is also the first Jesuit to assume the role, and has decided to go by the name of Francis.<br/> <br />He is the 266th pontiff in the Church's 2,000-year history.
