Francis I elected pope: Live Report

We are now wrapping up this Live Report on the surprise election of Francis I as the first Latin American pope. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the modest 76-year-old Argentinian archbishop of Buenos Aires, got an ecstatic reception from the tens of thousands who gathered in St Peter's Basilica to hear his first words. When he spoke, the new pope urged "brotherhood" among the world's 1.2 billion Catholics and led the sea of well-wishers in a Hail Mary prayer. His election is being seen as a possible move to a more open Catholic Church, which in recent years has faced controversy over child abuse by priests, homosexuality, gay marriage and abortion. The coming weeks and months will reveal whether he will set it on a different course to his predecessor, Benedict XVI. Do keep following AFP's regular coverage of this story online. LIVE REPORT CLOSES. 2216 GMT: The new pope was elected after five rounds of voting -- one more than when Benedict XVI was elected in 2005. He is the 266th pope in the Catholic Church's 2,000-year history. 2159 GMT: Francis I faces pressure to ensure the Catholic Church sees no further sex abuse by paedophile priests or cover-ups by senior clergymen. Support group the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) has warned that his order, the Jesuits, has a "troubled track record on children's safety". It urged the new pope to seize an "enormous opportunity and duty to help prevent heinous assaults against kids." 2147 GMT: In Latin America, the leaders of Ecuador, Colombia and Mexico have joined those offering their congratulations. "Long live Francis I!" said Ecuador's President Rafael Correa on his Twitter account. 2138 GMT: US Vice President Joe Biden, a Catholic, has been chosen to lead the US delegation to the new pope's inauguration mass on Tuesday, a White House official has told AFP. 2133 GMT: Many among the faithful as well as commentators keep coming back to Francis I's humble personal style as a sign of hope for the future. "The thing that most surprised me was his humility and asking people to pray for him," said Julian Cordoba, a priest from Mexico who was in the crowd at St Peter's tonight. "This was a historic moment and I hope that the act of humility will solve many of the problems which affect our church." 2125 GMT: Despite today's excitement, Pope Francis I seems unlikely to celebrate with a late night if his usual routine is anything to go by. Apparently he typically goes to sleep at 9pm and rises at 4.30am. A rail worker's son, the new pope is a shy and softly-spoken man who enjoys studying weighty authors like Jorge Luis Borges and Fyodor Dostoyevsky. He is seen being in the ideological mainstream in Argentina -- a conservative on doctrinal issues but progressive on social issues. 2120 GMT: Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby adds in his statement: "I look forward to meeting Pope Francis, and to walking and working together to build on the consistent legacy of our predecessors." 2110 GMT: ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, LEADER OF WORLD'S ANGLICANS, WISHES NEW POPE 'EVERY BLESSING' 2106 GMT: Full comments now from Cristina Kirchner, president of Francis I's home country Argentina, on his surprise election as Latin America's first pontiff. "We wish him, as he takes the reins of the Church, a fruitful pastoral mission, with such tremendous responsibility on his shoulders, seeking justice, equality, brotherhood, and peace among mankind," read a statement from Kirchner, a Catholic who does not have a warm personal relationship with the new pope. 2102 GMT: Pope Francis I faces a formidable to-do list as the new head of a church hit hard by sex abuse scandals and other major controversies. His predecessor Benedict XVI apologised for the Church's role in protecting priests involved in child abuse. But campaigners say not enough has been done to bring suspects to justice or to punish senior priests who covered up abuse for decades. Francis I will also need to forge a policy on homosexuality and gay marriage. Benedict was strongly opposed to same-sex unions, saying they called into question what it means to be "true men." Abortion and the ordination of women are other issues which will require his attention. 2054 GMT: Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, whose heavily Catholic country has recently had to confront issues around abuse by priests and abortion, sends his congratulations to Francis I. "We pray that he will have the strength, the good health and the spiritual guidance needed to lead the Catholic Church in the many challenges it faces," he said. 2049 GMT: Twitter says it saw 130 million tweets per minute about the election of the new pope following news of his election. 2045 GMT: FRANCIS I'S INAUGURATION MASS TO BE HELD TUESDAY: VATICAN 2043 GMT: VATICAN SAYS FRANCIS I PLANS TO MEET BENEDICT XVI AND WILL DELIVER FIRST ANGELUS PRAYER AT ST PETER'S ON SUNDAY 2041 GMT: More on those comments from Obama on the election of Francis I, who he hailed as "the first pope from the Americas." "As a champion of the poor and the most vulnerable among us, he carries forth the message of love and compassion that has inspired the world for more than two thousand years, that in each other we see the face of God," the US president said. 2038 GMT: POPE FRANCIS I CALLS PREDECESSOR BENEDICT XVI: VATICAN 2037 GMT: ARGENTINA'S KIRCHNER HAILS ELECTION OF FRANCIS I 2035 GMT: More now on those Vatican comments on the election of Francis I. The cardinals "had the courage of crossing the Ocean and widening the perspective of the Church," Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told reporters. 2028 GMT: US'S OBAMA SENDS 'WARM WISHES' TO FIRST POPE FROM THE AMERICAS 2025 GMT: The name Francis is often associated with humility and compassion in the Catholic Church. The 13th century St Francis of Assisi is one of the church's most revered figures, known for the prayer which begins: "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace." 2020 GMT: The Vatican has just hailed the "courage" of cardinals in electing Francis I. 2017 GMT: "He has such a kind face and he was funny and gentle. He spoke to us as if he was one of us -- I think it is an excellent sign!" said Sarah Hopper from the US after seeing Francis I speak to the crowd at St Peter's. 2012 GMT: Some reactions now from excited members of the faithful at St Peter's who have been speaking to AFP's Ella Ide. "I'm overwhelmed, I never would have thought it would be an Argentine pope -- I thought the Church was too traditional and eurocentric for that," said Greta Hinder, 24, from the Netherlands. "I think it's a massive step forward, this is a revolutionary moment!" she added, as her friends hugged around her. "I prayed for a pope Francesco, and I got one!" said Saverio, an Italian architect who had spent the two days of the conclave in the square holding up a sign calling for a pope Francesco. "I think the Church realises we need to go back to our roots. This is a fantastic sign!" 2005 GMT: Best-selling Brazilian author Paulo Coelho is among those hoping for a fresh start for the Catholic Church after scandals over issues like child abuse by priests. "May Francesco reboot the Church, recover links that are broken, delete the errors that hurt my faith #HabemusPapam," he tweets. 2000 GMT: Some details are starting to emerge about what kind of person Pope Francis I is. He reportedly has a reputation for living simply, cooking his own meals and taking the bus to work rather than a chauffeured limousine. 1956 GMT: Francis I is the first Latin American pope and many from the continent had been hopeful of a South American appointment to reflect the strength of the Catholic faith there. Brazilian Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno Assis, one of the cardinal electors, told AFP last month that the church in Latin America was enjoying "a very special moment, with strong missionary enthusiasm." That provides a stark contrast with Europe, which has seen flagging interest in Catholicism amid increasing secularisation. 1946 GMT: Reactions are starting to come in from around the world to Francis I's surprise election. Buenos Aires cathedral, where he was previously cardinal, erupted in applause when his election was announced. Meanwhile, the EU has called on the new pope to promote "peace, solidarity, human dignity." 1944 GMT: It is believed that Bergoglio was the runner-up in the election which saw Benedict XVI made pope in 2005. 1939 GMT: The first tweet from the @pontifex Twitter account under the new pope has just appeared. "HABEMUS PAPAM FRANCISCUM" it says. 1937 GMT: Perhaps in a sign of humility, it is also worth noting that Argentina's Francis I told the crowd that he came from the "other end of the world." 1935 GMT: He takes his leave of the crowd and the bells ring out again in celebration. "Good night and God bless," he says to more wild applause. "See you all soon." 1931 GMT: His address finishes to rapturous applause, cheering and flag-waving from the crowd. Pope Francis, dressed in white robes with a heavy cross around his neck and surrounded by red-clad cardinals, looks solemn as he surveys the crowd to fanfares from the bands below. 1929 GMT: Smiling now, he asks the crowd to pray to God to bless him. A silence descends on the huge crowd as he bends his head and leads the crowd in prayer. 1927 GMT: Francis I offers prayer for Benedict XVI and calls for brotherhood in the church. 1925 GMT: He is now speaking, thanking the crowd for their welcome. 1924 GMT: Francis I looks perfectly calm as he surveys the huge crowd of thousands cheering for him below in St Peter's Square -- barely a flicker of emotion is visible on his face. 1922 GMT: NEW POPE FRANCIS I EMERGES ON BALCONY TO LOUD CHEERS 1918 GMT: Bergoglio is archbishop of Buenos Aires and the first Jesuit to be elected pope. The 76-year-old is considered a moderate conservative. 1916 GMT: NEW POPE WILL BE KNOWN AS FRANCIS I 1915 GMT: A big surprise there with the election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first pope from the Americas. 1913 GMT: ARGENTINA'S BERGOGLIO ELECTED POPE 1912 GMT: 'HABEMUS PAPAM', CARDINAL ANNOUNCES 1908 GMT: It is now an hour since the white smoke emerged -- but still no news on who is the new pope. The name is expected any minute. 1906 GMT: A wild cheer breaks out as the lights go on in the balcony room where the new pope will make his first appearance. 1859 GMT: All eyes are now on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, where cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran will appear to announce who is the new pope any minute now. AFP's Ella Ide has been talking to some of the faithful, including one for whom the excitement has been too much. "I didn't think I would cry! But I guess the adrenalin's taking over!" says Rebecca Hine, a student from Canada who has waited two days in the rain to see white smoke. "We were having dinner near by and heard a roar, and raced here to see for ourselves" adds Ruud, 31, from the Netherlands. 1853 GMT: All 10 worldwide Twitter trending topics are now about the pope, AFP's Judith Evans notes. "Who said Catholicism wasn't relevant to modern world?" she adds. 1847 GMT: The esplanade in front of the basilica is filling up with the forces in charge of defending the Vatican ahead of the announcement, Gildas le Roux says. The Italian national anthem is sung by a large part of the crowd -- many are hopeful of an Italian pope and Angelo Scola, archbishop of Milan, is among the favourites. 1844 GMT: "Juan Pablo III" is trending on Twitter right now as a proposed name for the new pope. Many users are saying they would like the new pontiff to be named for Benedict's highly popular predecessor John Paul II. 1839 GMT: When the name of the new pope is announced, it will be his papal moniker which is revealed to the crowd. According to Irish bookmakers Paddy Power, the best odds are that the new pope will call himself Leo -- which means lion -- while the fifth best odds are for Peter. 1836 GMT: Now the Swiss Guards in their distinctive plumed helmets, carrying pikestaffs and flags, are marching into St Peter's Square and taking up position. They draw huge cheers from the excited crowds and are accompanied by upbeat marching music. 1832 GMT: The new pope's nationality may not yet be known, but flags from all over the world are being waved by the faithful at St Peter's in support of their favoured candidates. Russia, the US, Italy, Venezuela, Argentina and Brazil are all represented. Adding to the carnival-like atmosphere, bells are being rung in churches right across Rome and car horns are being sounded in the streets in celebration. 1829 GMT: Worth noting that the cardinals have reached their decision after just over 24 hours of the conclave -- does this mean it is more likely that the 115 electing cardinals have gone for one of the favourites? 1826 GMT: So who will be the new pontiff? That has not been made public yet, but the favourites include Brazil's Odilo Scherer, Canada's Marc Ouellet and Italy's Angelo Scola. They are all seen as conservatives similar to Benedict XVI in outlook. 1823 GMT: The atmosphere at St Peter's Square, where thousands of people had clustered in the rain awaiting a puff of white smoke, is like a stadium, Gildas le Roux tells us. "The faithful are clapping, waving flags in colours of the Holy See (white and gold)," Gildas says. 1820 GMT: Some of the excited faithful who have been waiting in the rain at the Vatican are shouting out "Habemus papam!" in excitement, AFP's Gildas le Roux reports. That of course is a reference to the announcement which will be made in about half an hour of the new pope's identity by French cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran. "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum. Habemus papam! (I announce to you a great joy. We have a pope!)", Tauran will say, before revealing the name of the elected cardinal and the papal title the new pontiff has chosen. WELCOME TO AFP'S LIVE REPORT on the election of a new pope after white smoke appears from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel to loud cheers and the sound of ringing bells from St Peter's. Stay with us for the next few hours as we learn who Benedict XVI's successor will be as leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics -- and for all the breaking news and colour from the Vatican.