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tial business of the church.
• "As a champion of the poor and the most vulnerable among us, he carries forth the message of love and compassion that has inspired the world for more than 2,000 years -- that in each other, we see the face of God," U.S. President Barack Obama said in a statement.
• As the 266th pope, Francis inherits a Catholic church in turmoil, beset by the clerical sex abuse scandal, internal divisions and dwindling numbers in parts of the world where Christianity had been strong for centuries.
• While Latin America is still very Catholic, it has faced competition from aggressive evangelical churches that have chipped away at strongholds like Brazil, where the number of Catholics has dropped from 74 percent of the population in 2000 to 65 percent today. Like Europe, secularism has also taken hold: more and more people simply no longer identify themselves with any organized religion.
• Francis is sure to bring the church closer to the poverty-wracked region, while also introducing the world to a very different type of pope. Reversing the typical order of blessings, he asked the crowd to bow their heads.
• "I want you to bless me," Francis said.
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10 Things to Know for Today
The Associated Press
• Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:
• 1. 'END OF THE EARTH' REJOICES AT POPE'S SELECTION
• "It's a huge gift for all of Latin America. We waited 20 centuries," says Jose Antonio Cruz, a Franciscan friar in Puerto Rico.
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• 2. SURPRISES FROM BERGOGLIO'S BIO
• He chose to live in a simple apartment, rather than an opulent church estate. For years, he rode the bus to work. And as a youth, he loved the tango.
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• 3. HOW A CHARITY FOR VETERANS SEEMS TO HAVE SPENT ITS MONEY
• Investigators say execs of the Florida organization bought boats, beachfront condos, and Maseratis, Ferraris and Porsches.
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• 4. SYRIAN BLOODLETTING MOUNTS
• Though abuses by the Assad regime remain far more widespread, rebels are killing captives and suspected informers with impunity.
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