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Pope Francis' Election Marks Several Firsts For Catholic Church

Lauren Madow |
March 13, 2013 | 3:15 p.m. PDT

Executive Producer

Cardinal Bergoglio (Aibdescalzo via Wikimedia Commons)
Cardinal Bergoglio (Aibdescalzo via Wikimedia Commons)
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, will be the first non-European pontiff in the modern era.

Bergoglio, who selected the name Francis for his papacy, represents a departure in Catholic leadership on several levels: he will be the first Jesuit Pope, the first Pope from the Americas, and the first Pope to have tweeted within hours of his election.

The new Pope comes into office with a controversial record, including outspoken views on the morality of gay marriage and alleged indirect responsibility for the abduction of two Jesuit priests in Argentina during the 1976 - 1983 military dictatorship. 

Symbolized by the choice of the name Francis, the saint of poverty, Bergoglio is noted for his devotion to a simple life.

For a list of 13 Key Facts about the new Pope, go here.

For an opinionated take on the Argentinian Church, go here.

For "Everything You Need to Know About Pope Francis' Macroeconomic Views," go here.

Reach Executive Producer Lauren Madow here. Follow her here. 



 

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