[00:04.98]From VOA Learning English, [00:08.07]this is IN THE NEWS in Special English. [00:11.86]Former Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio [00:16.19]has become the first Latin American to be elected [00:20.87]leader of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church. [00:25.11]At least 77 of the Catholic Church's 115 cardinals [00:32.85]chose the new Pope during a vote in the Vatican in Rome. [00:37.88]The new leader, called Pope Francis, [00:41.17]later joked to the public that the cardinals [00:44.96]went almost to the end of the earth to find a new Pope. [00:49.99]He follows Pope Emeritus Benedict in office. [00:54.32]The former pope resigned the position because, [00:58.75]at age 85, [01:00.99]he said he lacked the strength to continue his work. [01:06.18]On Thursday, Pope Francis led his first Mass [01:11.86]as Pope for the cardinals who elected him. [01:16.34]He urged them to remain faithful to the Gospel, [01:20.58]the teachings of those who follow Jesus Christ, [01:24.97]and avoid modern desires. [01:27.95]Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergolio [01:33.18]in Buenos Aires, Argentina on December 17, 1936 [01:39.91]to immigrant Italian parents. [01:43.00]In 1960 he earned a philosophy degree [01:48.13]from the Catholic University in Buenos Aires. [01:52.07]Later he received a master's degree in chemistry [01:57.30]at the University of Buenos Aires. [02:00.63]He officially became a priest in 1969. [02:05.57]For many years he taught in Catholic schools [02:10.79]and schools for priests-in-training. [02:14.43]Pope Francis became the new Archbishop [02:18.71]of Buenos Aires in 1998. [02:22.44]He was made a cardinal [02:24.73]by Pope John Paul Second in February of 2001. [02:30.60]Pope Francis is known for his conservative beliefs. [02:36.28]Argentina became the first Latin American country [02:41.46]to make same-sex marriage legal in 2010. [02:46.93]At that time, he called on priests across the nation [02:52.01]to urge Catholics to protest. [02:55.40]He said the legislation would be harmful to the family. [03:01.03]But, even though he opposes homosexuality, [03:05.75]he has called for respect toward people [03:09.64]who love others of the same sex. [03:13.13]As a priest and cardinal, Pope Francis [03:17.57]also became known for his simple lifestyle, [03:21.85]personal humility and commitment to social justice. [03:27.87]Pope Francis is the first Jesuit [03:31.76]to be elected to lead the church. [03:34.45]Jesuits are known for their commitment to the poor. [03:39.18]Catholic Church expert Father Thomas Reese says [03:43.81]Pope Francis rose through church leadership [03:47.70]in Argentina while continuing a simple life. [03:52.09]"He takes his vow of poverty very seriously. [03:54.71]He refused to live in the Bishop's palace, [03:56.96]he moved to a very simple apartment, [03:59.00]cooked his own meals and he didn't want [04:02.60]the chauffeur-driven limousine that the bishop normally had." [04:06.43]This week, after holding his first Mass, [04:10.11]the new Pope requested guards to take him to the hotel [04:14.40]where he was staying [04:15.94]so he could pay his bill and collect his suitcases. [04:20.37]The former Cardinal Bergolio is the first [04:24.70]to choose Francis as his papal name. [04:28.24]In doing so, Pope Francis has linked himself [04:33.06]with the 13th century Italian priest [04:36.90]who led his life in poverty, [04:39.94]the man who became known as Saint Francis of Assisi. [04:43.93]Next week, the new Pope will be officially installed.

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