WE HAVE A POPE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE WORLD WELCOMES HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS I.............

Within the next half hour French Cardinal Jean Louis Tauran, the senior Cardinal Deacon, who is the designated announcer of the name of the new Holy Father, will step out onto the loggia, - the balcony in front of St. Peter's Basilica and proclaim to the Church and the World the Election of the next Holy Father and Roman Pontiff.  Cardinal Deacon Tauran will announce his name and be followed on the balcony by the new Pope.  The Vatican / Italian National Band has marched out onto St. Peter's Square and are playing triumphantly having led the Swiss Guards out to take their positions as the papal protectors.  The 266th Successor of St. Peter and Pope of the Roman Catholic Church is Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis I; who is 76 years old, a Jesuit who is the Archbishop Emeritus of Buenos Aires Argentina and very well known for his ministry to the poor.  In his opening remarks to the estimated 100,000 people in St. Peter's Square and to the worldwide viewing and listening audience on television, the internet, radio, he spoke in everyday street language and simplicity, leading prayers for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI; an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, and then "asked a favor", and for the people to bless him.  He is being described as very conservative doctrinally, but a social justice progressive.  He is likely to be a reformer in taking control over the Roman Curia, in the aftermath of the scandals of recent years.  More soon on this unfolding historic, first time in a thousand years, election of a Pope from outside Europe in the hours ahead............tdp