The archbishop of Buenos Aires is a Jesuit intellectual who travels by bus and has a practical approach to poverty: when he was appointed a cardinal, Bergoglio persuaded hundreds of Argentinians not to fly to Rome to celebrate with him but instead to give the money they would have spent on plane tickets to the poor. He was a fierce opponent of Argentinas decision to legalise gay marriage in 2010, arguing children need to have the right to be raised and educated by a father and a mother. He was created a cardinal by John Paul II on 21 February 2001.
He believes in contraception to prevent the spread of disease, is open to dialogue with other faiths, and is not facing questions over any abuse scandals. Nor is he facing questions over the handling of the Vatileaks scandal. He would make reforming the curia a priority. [Source: The Guardian]
