Papal election - Pope Francis faces many challenges

When the white smoke appeared from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel at shortly after 6pm yesterday, the conventional wisdom suggested that one of the cardinals seen as a front-runner had been elected as the 266th pope.

The decision of the 115 cardinals on their fifth ballot was faster than most commentators expected.

Although a conservative, the new Pope is perceived as a reformer, but he was not considered among the small group of favourites for election. This was possibly was because of his age. At 76, he was one of the oldest cardinals at the conclave.