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Photo gallery: Pope Francis elected to lead Catholic church

Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina was elected pope Wednesday, becoming the first pontiff from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millennium. He chose the name Francis, associating himself with the humble 13th-century Italian preacher who lived a life of poverty.

Looking stunned, Francis shyly waved to the crowd of tens of thousands of people who gathered in St. Peter's Square for the announcement, marveling that the cardinals needed to look to "the end of the earth" to find a bishop of Rome.

Here's a photographic look at the events of the day and the new pope.

Pope Francis waves to the crowd Wednesday from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who chose the name of Francis, is the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. (Photo by The Associated Press)
In this 2007 photo, Pope Benedict XVI shakes hands with Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, during a meeting at the Vatican. On Wednesday, Bergoglio was elected pope, the first ever from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millennium. He chose the name Pope Francis. (File photo by L'Osservatore Romano)
Crowds gather in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Wednesday to wait for the election of a new pope. (Photo by The Associated Press)
White smoke emerged Wednesday from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, indicating that a new pope had been elected. (Photo by The Associated Press)
Crowds fill St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Wednesday after white smoke billowed from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope had been elected. (Photo by The Associated Press)
Crowds cheer Wednesday after white smoke billowed from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope had been elected. (Photo by The Associated Press)
A nun cheers Wednesday after white smoke billowed from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope had been elected. (Photo by The Associated Press)
Pope Francis watches the crowd Wednesday from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (Photo by The Associated Press)
Pope Francis blesses the crowd Wednesday from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican shortly after being elected pope. (Photo by The Associated Press)
Visitors take photos of Pope Francis as he speaks Wednesday from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (Photo by The Associated Press)
Pope Francis, flanked by Monsignor Guido Marini, master of liturgical ceremonies, waves to the crowd Wednesday from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (Photo by The Associated Press)
Catholic faithful wave an Argentine flag in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Wednesday. Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who chose the name of Francis, was elected as the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. (Photo by The Associated Press)
Pope Francis speaks Wednesday from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (Photo by The Associated Press)
Cardinals watch as Pope Francis speaks to the crowd Wednesday at  St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (Photo by The Associated Press)
Pope Francis speaks Wednesday from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (Photo by The Associated Press)
Pope Francis speaks to the crowd Wednesday from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (Photo by The Associated Press)
A woman prays Wednesday inside the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Argentine Jorge Bergoglio has been elected pope, the first ever from the Americas. (Photo by The Associated Press)
Sue Marczak prays Wednesday as Catholic faithful at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York respond to the announcement of a new pope. Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was elected pope and chose the papal name Francis. (Photo by The Associated Press)
A reader looks at the first edition of the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano after Wednesday's election of Pope Francis. (Photo by The Associated Press)
This 2005 file photo shows Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio celebrating a Mass in honor of Pope John Paul II at the Buenos Aires Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Bergoglio, who took the name of Pope Francis, was elected pope Wednesday. (Associated Press file photo)
This 2009 photo shows Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio giving a mass outside the San Cayetano church in Buenos Aires. Bergoglio was elected Pope Francis on Wednesday. (Associated Press file photo)
In this 2009 photo, Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, right, greets faithful outside the San Cayetano church in Buenos Aires, Argentina. On Wednesday, (Associated Press file photo)
In this February photo, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, leads a Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Associated Press file photo)
In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis looks out at the crowd Wednesday from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (Photo by L'Osservatore Romano)
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