The crowd at St. Peter’s Square went wild on March 13, when Jorge Mario Bergoglio made his first public appearance as the new pope. The newly anointed Pope Francis I stepped out onto the balcony of the Sistine Chapel to make his debut as the newest leader of the Catholic Church, following the billowing of white smoke from the chimney one hour earlier.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio Is The New Pope: Pope Francis I

The cardinal deacon stepped out onto the balcony at 9:12pm local time to say “Habemus Papem!”, which means “we have a pope!” and Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, came out to be sworn in. He will be called Pope Francis I, and he hails from Buenos Aires, Argentina, making him the first pope from South America. Jorge Mario came second to Pope Benedict XVI in the last conclave in 2005.

The New Pope’s First Words As Leader Of The Catholic Church

Pope Francis I’s first words as pope were “Buona sera”, which means “good evening” in Italian, followed by a speech:

“First of all would like to say a prayer for our Bishop Benedict the 16th. Let’s prayer all together so the Lord bless him.”

“And now let’s begin this path together. The bishop with the people. The path in brotherhood, love, and trust. Let’s pray for the world so that there is a brotherhood. I wish the path that we begin together and the cardinal will help me with…And now I’d like to bless you. But first of all I ask for a favor. Before the Bishop does the prayer let’s pray for the Bishop.”

“The holy father through the radio, TV, and the new communication technologies. Let’s pray God  so he will preserve a long time the Pope so he gives peace ot the church and the whole world. And now I’ll give you the Benediction to you and the entire world. To all the men and women of good will. May the holy apostles Peter and Paul in whose power and authority we have confidence intercede in our behalf to the Lord. Through the prayers and Mary, the blessed virgin, the blessed John the Baptist. May the mighty God have mercy on you. May Jesus Christ lead you to everlasting life. It’s time for a truthful and fruitful penance. And may the blessing of the mighty God,  The father, the son, the whole spirit descend on you and remain on you always.”

“Brothers and sister I live. Thank you so much for your welcoming. Pray for me and I will see you soon. Tomorrow I am going to pray to The Virgin Mary so that she keeps Rome. Have a good evening and rest well.”

Pope Benedict XVI’s Resignation

After the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on Feb. 28, the cardinals endured four rounds of voting in the secret conclave when they finally chose the new leader of the Catholic church. At 8pm local time white smoke began to billow from the Sistine chapel chimney on March 13, which meant that the new pope had been chosen.

The Papal Conclave

The 115 voting cardinals took four or five votes over two days to reach their decision, which required a two-thirds majority and it took one week of intense meetings. Four times black smoke was seen billowing from the chimney until March 13, and the crowds cheered and clapped when the white smoke emerged.

Pope Benedict XVI made history when he stepped down earlier this year, as he is the first Pope in over 600 years to resign.

What do YOU think HollywoodLifers? Are you glad that Jorge Mario Bergoglio was chosen?

WATCH: Habemus Papam: Pope Francis Introduced to World

– Eleanore Hutch

More News On The Pope:

1. The New Pope Has Been Chosen — White Smoke Seen In Rome
2. Pope Benedict XVI To Resign At The End Of February
3. Pope Benedict XVI Tweets For First Time In 8 Languages — Watch

After the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, on Feb. 28, white smoke was seen billowing from the Vatican chimney in Rome, meaning only one thing: a new Pope has been chosen. It took the Cardinals four rounds of voting in the secret conclave to pick the new leader of the Catholic church, and an announcement will be made within one hour.

White Smoke Seen At The Vatican In Rome — New Pope Chosen

On March 13 at 8pm local time white smoke began to billow from the Sistine chapel chimney, and the thousands of people waiting at St. Peter’s Square began to cheer, shout and pray at the announcement, reports USA Today.

The 115 voting cardinals took four or five votes over two days to reach their decision, which required a two-thirds majority and came after a week of intense meetings.

The new Pope will greet the crowds from the Sistine Chapel balcony within the hour.

UPDATE: Jorge Mario Bergoglio Named Pope: Archbishop Of Buenos Aires Elected New Leader Of Catholic Church

This is a momentous occasion, as this is the first time a Pope has been voted in following a resignation. Pope Benedict XVI resigned, due to his advancing age, last month.

Pope Benedict XVI’s Statement Of Resignation:

Dear Brothers,

I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church.

After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.

I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.

However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.

For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects.

And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff.

With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

What do YOU think HollywoodLifers? Who will be the new pope?

WATCH: Habemus Papam: Pope Francis Introduced to World

– Eleanore Hutch

More News On The Pope:

1. Pope Benedict XVI Tweets For First Time In 8 Languages — Watch
2. President Obama & Michelle Share Funny Family Encounter With The Pope On ‘Oprah!’
3. President Obama, Elin Nordegren & The Pope Are Three Of The Most Admired People Of 2009

Pope Benedict XVI will stand down as the leader of the Catholic church, because his strength is “no longer adequate to continue in office due to his advanced age.”

A Vatican spokesman said, “It’s taken us a bit by surprise. We’ve had to organize ourselves very quickly. We’ve had no warning of what the Pope was about to announce. The declaration is crystal clear and we need to go through it word by word. The Pope says that he looked in a personal way and had a deep moment of reflection to consider the mission that he had received from God.”

Pope Benedict XVI’s Statement Of Resignation:

Dear Brothers,

I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church.

After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.

I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.

However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.

For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects.

And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff.

With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

Pope Benedict XVI Makes History

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI when he took office in April 2005, when he was 78-years-old, after succeeding Pope John Paul II, according to CNN. Breaking ground in 2012, by becoming the first Pope to ever tweet, Pope Benedict XVI will also be the first Pope to resign in nearly 600 years. The last time this happened was when Pope Gregory XII left the position in 1415.

What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Why do you think the Pope is resigning?

— Chris Rogers

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@ChrisRogers86
More Pope Benedict XVI News:

1. Pope Benedict XVI Tweets For First Time In 8 Languages — Watch
2. President Obama & Michelle Share Funny Family Encounter With The Pope On ‘Oprah!’
3. President Obama, Elin Nordegren & Hillary Clinton Are Three Of The Most Admired People Of 2009! Do You Agree?

Pope Benedict XVI is on Twitter! @Pontifex is available in 8 languages and the accounts tweeted simultaneously on the morning of December 12, answering questions from dedicated followers! Watch the video below!

His first tweet, which came from an iPad, said, “Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart.”

One follower asked, “How can we celebrate the Year of Faith better in our daily lives?” He answered, “By speaking with Jesus in prayer, listening to what he tells you in the Gospel and looking for him in those in need”

Another question was posed: “How can faith in Jesus be lived in a world without hope?”

He answered, “We can be certain that a believer is never alone. God is the solid rock upon which we build our lives and his love is always faithful.”

The Pope tweets in English, Italian, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Polish, French and Arabic.

The Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Mons. Paul Tighe, spoke to Vatican Radio about the event. The event was “an extraordinary moment.”

Pope Benedict’s first tweet had more than 2,000 re-tweets in under two minutes!

The Holy Father will be responding to questions submitted by twitter followers throughout the afternoon. To submit a question, tweet with the hashtag #askpontifex.

– Dory Larrabee

More Celebrity News:

1. President Barack Obama Delivers Powerful Re-Election Victory Speech
2. President Barack Obama Beats Justin Bieber’s Twitter Record After Big Win
3. Miley Cyrus You’re So Brave To Tweet That Science And Religion Can Co-Exist

Sasha and Malia mistake anyone with a frock for the pope!

President Barack Obama was on The Oprah Winfrey Show with Michelle and the two had a hilarious anecdote abut meeting the Pope Benedict with their two girls, Malia, 12, and Sasha, 9.

Barack, 49, and Michelle, 47, said their 2009 trip to Vatican City was fun, but they were worried the girls might be rude.

“I had met the pope and I learned later that apparently [the girls] were getting tired and wanted to sit on the floor of the Sistine Chapel,” Barack said.

“You know how you have those moments, ‘Girls — get up! Do not sit down,’” Michelle added.

“Apparently each time they saw somebody in a frock they’d say ‘Is that the pope?’  ‘Not yet, you’ll know when it’s the pope,’”  Barack said.

Although opportunities to met the pope are once-in-a-lifetime, Barack said being president also has its parenting downsides.

“I used to take Sasha and Malia to the park and decide after we’d get ice cream or go to the bookstore,” he said. “Those things are so previous and you forget how previous they are.”

We love this adorable family — and their hilarious stories!

– William Earl, reporting by Chloe Melas

More Obama News!

1. Michelle Obama And Daughters Put On A Fashion Show In Latin America!
2. White House Easter Egg Roll: Did YOU Have Willow Smith at YOUR Easter Egg Party?
3. Sarah Palin, You’re A Boob For Attacking Michelle Obama On Breastfeeding!

Who did YOU admire most in 2009?

Elin Nordegren‘s in good company! Tiger Woods‘ wife rounds out Gallup‘s annual survey of the 10 women most admired in 2009, placing her just behind the likes of Maya Angelou, Queen Elizabeth II and Sarah Palin. And when it comes to the gentlemen, there’s just no contest — President Obama dominated the list of the most admired men of 2009. Browse the complete lists, and tell us who YOU most admired this year.

Most Admired Women:

1. Hillary Clinton - 16%
2. Sarah Palin – 15%
3. Oprah - 8%
4. Michelle Obama - 7%
5. Condoleezza Rice - 2%
6. Queen Elizabeth II – 2%
7. Margaret Thatcher - 1%
8. Maya Angelou – 1%
9. Angela Merkel - 1%
10. Elin Nordegren – 1%

Most Admired Men:

1. President Obama – 30%
2. George W. Bush - 4%
3. Nelson Mandela - 3%
4. Glenn Beck - 2%
5. Pope Benedict XVI - 2%
6. Rev. Billy Graham - 2%
7. Bill Gates - 2%
8. John McCain - 1%
9. George H.W. Bush - 1%
10. Bill Clinton – 1%
11. Tiger Woods – 1%