When the curtains parted, the Catholic Church's first Latin American pope stepped out on the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square.

Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina is now Francis the first.

Argentines who had poured into churches Wednesday to watch the events at the Vatican joyously celebrated the surprise announcement.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CATHOLIC SERGIO BALVO, SAYING:

"I think it's incredible to be living through this period with an Argentine pope. I think that Bergoglio is a saint."

Jose San Martin is the Argentine archbishop's spokesman:

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARCHBISHOP SPOKESPERSON JOSE SAN MARTIN, SAYING:

"In the first place, beyond whether or not it's Bergoglio, it's the presence of a pope in the church that is truly the vicar of Christ, the successor of Peter."

Brazilians too, celebrated the new pope.

Many had speculated that one of their own might become the next leader of the church. But Brazilian bishop Leonardo Steiner