It is Jorge Cardinal Bergoglio, Pope Francis

Rocco Palmo compares the new Pope to John Paul I. Well, I am sure there are some similarities, humble origins being one. Here we have a Jesuit who, as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, uses public transportation to get to his office, has no chauffeur, and does not live in a plush episcopal residence, but in a modest apartment where he cooks his own meals and cares for a handicapped Jesuit. He is described as a doctrinal conservative and is uncompromising in his support of the Church’s moral teaching. And, although deploring the sins against nature that homosexual acts engage, he nevertheless manifests much compassion on these and all sinners, on one occasion even going to a hospital to wash and kiss the feet of AIDS patients. There will be much more news to post as the days progress.

Whispers in the Loggia: For the cardinal-electors to have gone out of Europe for the first time in over a millennium, to have gone to a Jesuit for the first time ever, and to have gone to the runner-up at the last Conclave in all of five ballots – with more than half the electorate changed over since last time – is not merely decisive….

Indeed, it’s epic. More here.