Jose Mario Bergoglio was named Pope Francis on Wednesday. The 76-year-old was a surprise choice as many observers expected the College of Cardinals to choose a younger man after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Here are 10 things you should know about the Argentine:

1. Francis is the first Jesuit to serve as pope. In the United States, Jesuits are best known for founding colleges and universities, including Boston College, Georgetown and Marquette University.

2. He has only one lung. The other was removed after an infection when he was a teenager.

[READ: Viva il papa: Jublilation as Pope Francis I emerges Catholic Pontiff (PHOTOS)]

3. In the 2005 papal election, he was the runner-up, receiving 40 votes on the third ballot and losing to now-Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

4. As the archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio gave up his chauffeured limousine, opting to ride the bus to work instead.

5. He unsuccessfully fought Argentina’s legalization of gay marriage in 2010, calling it “a scheme to destroy God’s plan.”

6. In 2005, shortly before the conclave, an Argentinian lawyer filed a complaint, accusing Bergoglio of working with Argentina’s military dictatorship to kidnap two liberal priests in 1976. Bergoglio denied the charge.

[READ: White smoke! We have a new Pope… it’s Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina – His Holiness Pope Francis I (PHOTOS)]

7. Last September, he delivered a harsh attack on priests in Argentina who refused to baptize children born out of wedlock, calling them “hypocritical.”

8. He has won praise for showing compassion toward victims of HIV and AIDS. In 2012, Bergoglio visited a hospice, where he kissed and washed the feet of 12 victims.

9. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, his parents were Italian immigrants.

10. Argentine President Cristina Kirchner rebuked him after he argued that adoption by gay and lesbian couples was a form of discrimination against children. Kirchner said Bergoglio’s tone was reminiscent of “medieval times and the Inquisition.”
http://www.ynaija.com/click-the-new-pope-has-only-one-lung-and-9-other-facts-you-didnt-know-about-him/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

Ese adupe.

The only interesting thing about him is that he's got only one lung.

what i don't get clearly is why people see him as a surprise choice when he obviously was the runner-up of the 2005 papal election! are people this dumb gullible? in my view, the whole event was prearranged.

anyways, Congrats to him and the catholic church! hope he restores people faith and trust in the church.

991: what i don't get clearly is why people see him as a surprise choice when he obviously was the runner-up of the 2005 papal election! are people this dumb gullible? in my view, the whole event was prearranged.

anyways, Congrats to him and the catholic church! hope he restores people faith and trust in the church.

because very few people were aware that card jorge was among those who even recieved a single vote. We are just hearing d rumours now, d happenings of d last conclave were kept secret till now.

True that.