Citing a distinguished German theologian and an anonymous elderly penitent from Argentina, Pope Francis told an overflow crowd in St. Peter’s Square never to despair of God’s mercy to sinners.

With many stories of kindness abound in Buenos Aires, where Pope Francis was archbishop for 15 years, until being elected pope March 13. Portenos, as locals there are known, came to know Pope Francis as an unpretentious prelate, who took public transit, showed preoccupation for the poor and challenged the authorities.

Tens of thousands of pilgrims packed St. Peter’s Square and adjoining streets March 17 to hear Pope Francis deliver his first Angelus, saying prayers at noon and greeting pilgrims not only from Rome but from around the world.

It is with a sense of real joy that I welcome the election of Pope Francis I as the successor to Pope Benedict XVI. Like all Catholics I am very excited and encouraged by this news, writes Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, Archbishop of Perth.

Jesuits around Australia have expressed both surprise and excitement at the news of the election of Pope Francis, writes Matthew Biddle.

The newly appointed pontiff, Pope Francis has a love for Eastern Catholic liturgy and a history of supporting Eastern Catholic communities says Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.

JERUSALEM (CNS) - Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal commended Pope Francis on his election with the traditional Arabic greeting of "Alf mabrouk," or "1,000 congratulations." "There is depth in our communion. Holy Father, it is with gratitude and great hope that we look forward to all that you do for the church, the world and the pastoral solicitude that you will have for our Latin patriarchate ...

  WASHINGTON (CNS) - Catholic leaders worldwide expressed words of hope and joy in calling upon Catholics to come together as one body behind the papacy of Pope Francis. International political leaders also offered words of congratulations and pledged to work with the new pontiff on common goals and concerns in a complex world. Church bells tolled around the world with the ann...

Pope Francis was elected to succeed Pope Benedict XVI on March 13 by the conclave of cardinals.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The night of his election, Pope Francis phoned the Vatican ambassador in Argentina and asked him to tell the country's bishops and faithful not to feel obliged to come to Rome for his installation, but instead give the money to the poor, the Vatican spokesman confirmed. "Pope Francis did not forbid them to come," said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the spokesman, b...