New Pope Elected: Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina is Pope Francis I

Habemus papam! 

After two days of papal conclave, the 115 cardinals from all over the world had already chosen the next pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church—Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Now Pope Francis I (his chosen papal name), the then Cardinal Bergoglio is the first non-European to be elected pope for almost 1,300 years and the first-ever member of the Jesuit order. A white smoke pouring from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel signaled the election of Pope Francis I, who appeared at the balcony over the entrance to St Peter's basilica bespectacled.

The 76-year-old former Cardinal Bergoglio replaced Benedict XVI as the head of the Roman Catholic Church. The latter announced his resignation early February, the first pope to do so since Celestine V in 1294. 

It took five voting before the cardinals who joined the secret voting for the next pope made their decision and elect Cardinal Bergoglio, who is now the 266th pontiff. Although not a front-runner and his election came as a surprise, he is said to be the runner-up to now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in the 2005 conclave.

Moments after he was introduced "to the City of Rome and to the World," the newly-elected leader of the Catholic Church from Argentina also said hello to the Twitter world via the pope's official account, @Pontifex.

"HABEMUS PAPAM FRANCISCUM," reads Pope Francis' first tweet.

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Pope Benedict XVI Resigns

Leader of Roman Catholic Church Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation Monday, the first pope to do so in 700 years, saying that he no longer had the mental and physical strength needed to serve the ministry entrusted to him

Formerly Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the 85-year-old Pope will step down effective February 28, 2013. Below is the translated speech of Pope Benedict XVI read to the Cardinals in Latin (the universal language of the Church) on Monday:

"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."

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Blessed Pedro Calungsod Now A Saint, Image in 2nd Highest Place of Honor

Blessed Pedro Calungsod has been canonized as a saint today, October 21 in a ceremony led by Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City. In the canonization rites at St. Peter’s Basilica, the image of Blessed Pedro Calungsod occupies the second highest place of honor.

According to Vice-Postulator for the Canonization Cause of Blessed Pedro Calungsod Msgr. Ildebrando Leyson, Blessed Pedro Calungsod's image occupied the second highest place of honor where it hangs third from the right at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Leyson explained that the center balcony is the highest place of honor. The next ranks then move out from the center. According to sanpedrocalungsod.com, the “ranks” are decided by three factors: first, martyrs rank higher than non-martyrs; bishops rank higher than priests; priests, who rank higher than religious, and laypeople.

Read: San Pedro Calungsod Documentary Airs on ABS-CBN's Sunday's Best (October 21)

Blessed Pedro Calungsod is not the only one who was canonized as saint today.

Watch the video below to know more about the 6 others who were canonized as saints together with the second Filipino Saint, Pedro Calungsod.

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Pedro Calungsod Canonization as Saint Happens October 21, ABS-CBN Airs Documentary

Filipino teenage martyr Pedro Calungsod is set to join the altar of saints when Pope Benedict XVI leads the canonization ceremony at the Vatican on Sunday (Oct 21). ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs will examine the life of the former missionary catechist and his influence on the Filipino faithful in a special documentary “San Pedro Calungsod” later that same evening on ABS-CBN.

With the meager historical information written about him, Blessed Pedro’s life can be written in a few paragraphs. Thus, the documentary will trace the life of a Visayan boy who lived and died spreading and defending his faith, his miracle, and the significance of his rise to sainthood.

Blessed Pedro Calungsod was only 17 years old when he was murdered while serving and evangelizing the Chamorro natives on the island of Guam in 1672. In 2000, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II, and has had one intercessory miracle recognized by the Vatican and declared worthy of belief.

Calungsod joins fellow catechist San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila as the second saint in a country that is predominantly Catholic. As one of only two Catholic nations in Asia, the Philippines celebrates a major milestone and takes great pride in the canonization of Blessed Pedro.

Many groups and chapels dedicated to him have sprouted not only in the Philippines and Guam, but also in the United States and other countries with Filipinos. Calungsod’s patronage also includes the youth and migrant workers for dedicating his young life to God and his missionary work.

Don’t miss “San Pedro Calungsod” this Sunday (Oct 21) on ABS-CBN’s Sunday Best after “Gandang Gabi Vice.” For updates on the documentary, visit www.abs-cbn.com.

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