The Archdiocese of Kingston has sent out congratulations to 76-year-old Jorge Mario Bergoglio, from Argentina, who has been elected the 266th Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church in Vatican City, Italy.

"The Archbishop of Kingston, Archbishop Charles Dufour in union with the Bishop of Mandeville and Administrator of Montego Bay, the Reverend Niel Tiedemann, as well as the priests, religious sisters, brothers and lay faithful of the country are united in offering congratulations and assurance of prayers for the new pontiff, the 266th pope," stated a media release yesterday afternoon.

The new pope, to be called Francis, is the first Jesuit as well as the first non-European leader of the church in more than 1,000 years. He is also the first leader of the church ever chosen from South America.

He received overwhelming cheers from the thousands of Catholics who had gathered in the city after he made his appearance on the balcony on St Peter's Basilica.

He was selected after two days of voting.