I am AndersonCooper, Rome.Welcome to the podcast electing a pioneer Pope. Let's get started.

The world has a new Pope, as you know, nodoubt know by now 1.2 billion catholic have a new leader and in many ways he isunlike any the church has ever had. The man, who just short time ago stepped onto that balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica, now begins day one of his papacy. Heis a true pioneer in many ways, the first Latin American Pope, the firstnon-European Pope in modern times; first take the name Francis after SaintFrancis of Assisi.And though it was true that every paper conclave become a part of history. Thisone made history and pretty quickly as well.

Extraordinary scene in the square, the fiveruns of voting a decision and as white smoke rose the crowd in Saint Peter'sSquare erupted. They joy, this time not tempered by mourning as it was eightyears ago, because for the first time in 598 years, a previous Pope is aliveand well, retired, not deceased. As word got out the crowd grew larger peopleliterally running to the square, Romans and visitors, even people makingairline connections racing to the square, more than 150,000 in all. Officialsay all eyes on that small balcony waiting, watching, wondering who wouldemerge a favorite Cardinal Scola of Milan perhaps, an American O'Malley ofBoston, the first Canadian Pope, the first modern African, who would he be? Thequestions were answered as they've always been by the cardinal taking the firststep and uttering the traditional words. We announced to you a great joy,habemus papam, we have a Pope. But that Pope, Jorge Bergoglio, seemingly cameout of no where a surprise to many cardinal of Buenos Aires, a non-traditional cardinal wholived humbly. Cooking his own meals taking public transit, where he speaks topeople face to face. The humility extending to his first remarks after leavingthe crowd in our Father and a hail marry. He asked them to pray for him anunprecedented move.

I would like to offer you my blessing, but I'd like to ask a favor first. First before the bishop blesses the people, Iwould like to pray for the Lord, so that the prayer of the people blesses alsothe new pontiff.

Shortly after his election, Francis calledhis predecessor, another first then he dined with his former fellow cardinals,including New York'sTimothy Dolan.

He's already won our heart, he obviously wonour hearts, because he is the new Pope but he just, we just had a verybeautiful fraternal meal at the Dome Santa Marta, where we've been staying. Andhe told us, he said when we toasted him the cardinal secretary of state,toasted him and then he toasted us and he simply said may god forgive you.