New pope elected

By Caleb Mutua

Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina  is the new  pope, leading over 1.2 billion Roman Catholics all over the world.

The Latin American cardinal was elected Pope Francis I on Wednesday. He becomes the 266th pope of the Church after garnering a two third majority after the 5th round of voting in the Sistine Chapel.

After the conclave had elected the supreme pontiff,  a white smoke was seen coming from the rooftop of the Vatican chapel to signify the new pope.

Pope Benedict XVI bid the church an emotional farewell late last month saying he was too old to continue leading the 1.2 billion Roman Catholics.

He said that he will simply be a pilgrim henceforth shortly before leaving Vatican for a retreat at Castel Gandolfo.

First published in March 2013.