On 13 March 2013 at 19:06 white smoke rose from the chimney placed atop the Sistine Chapel where the Cardinal electors were meeting.

Cardinal Tauran announced in Latin “Habemus Papam” and a short while later the 266^th Successor of Peter, Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, appeared at the Loggia of the Blessings. The new Bishop of Rome, who chose the name Francis, addressed his first words to the world: “Brothers and sisters, good evening! You know that it was the duty of the Conclave to give Rome a Bishop.  It seems that my brother Cardinals have gone to the ends of the earth to get one… but here we are… I thank you for your welcome.  The diocesan community of Rome now has its Bishop. Thank you!” In his first brief address he recalled the importance and value of fellowship and prayer. He gave concrete expression to his words with an invocation to the faithful: “before the Bishop blesses his people, I ask you to pray to the Lord that he will bless me” Born in Buenos Aires on 17 December 1936, he entered the seminary on 11 March 1958 in the Society of Jesus. On 13 December 1969 he was ordained a priest, on 27 June 1992 he received episcopal ordination and on 21 February 2001 he was created a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II.

The Philatelic and Numismatic Office will issue the 3^rd stamp and coin card and an official folder together with the set of stamps, both dedicated to the beginning of the Pontificate. The folder, will include two first day covers and a postcard reproducing the Osservatore Romano’s cover published on the 13^th of March 2013.

Source: The Vatican Post

published April 18th, 2013