Catholic church and bring it into the 21st century. Pope francis began his first full day as pontiff praying at the basilica in rome this morning. Last night, white smoke pouring from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel signaling the pope had been elected. And after two days of conclave meetings and five rounds of voting, Cardinal Jorge mario bergoglio, the former archbishop of argentina, became papa of 1. 2 billion catholics around the world. I was delighted. In latin america, i was really hoping that one of these times wed come with a latin american and here we did. Reporter while his papacy became effective immediately, the newly elected head of the Catholic Church will be formally installed at a ceremonial mass here at the vatican early tuesday morning. From the balcony of st. Peters basilica, francis, the first pope from latin america wearing the traditional white robe, addressed the tens of thousands who gathered at the square below and millions watching worldwide. [ speaking Foreign Language ] reporter the 76yearold pope prayed for the church, the papacy and for retired Pope Benedict. And then asked the faithful to pray for him. [ speaking Foreign Language ] hes our papa, you know. Were behind him all the way. Reporter and pope francis will be celebrating mass about two hours from now at the Sistine Chapel with the cardinals who elected him. We should also note president obama one of the first leaders to send out his congratulations yesterday, saying as the first pope from the americas, his selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world, and alongside millions of hispanic americans, those of us in the United States share the joy of this historic day. Matt . Well be at the mass on tuesday. There was a tug of war between the old guard and the reformers. Earlier this morning, we spoke with Cardinal Timothy dolan, the archbishop of new york, who was there, and i began by asking him which side won. Ive got to be honest, matt, within the Sistine Chapel, i didnt sense that tug of war. I sensed a rather remarkable resigned consensus we needed a man obviously who is holy, a man of theological precision like benedict was and john paul. We also needed a man, though, who had a good track record of sound effective pastoral governan governance. And we got one. As the cardinals began to look around and see the man we wanted. Jorge berg golly i dont came to the fore. The oldtimers, veteran cardinals remembered him from the last time. The more we got to listen to him, to know him, to hear our brother cardinals speak about him, it was pretty clear thats where the holy spirit was leading us. Do you think some cardinals felt an obligation to choose a pope from the americas, the latin america given the growth in that part of the world. I dont think i would use the word obligation. In addition to the ones that i just mentioned to you, the fact that he knew a lot of languages, and the fact that he was from latin america, the fact that he had a particularly radiant slittude for the poor, that was almost gravy that made even more attractive the man who had sound qualities we already needed. That enhanced our eye traction. Youve always encouraged me to speak frankly, and i hope you understand the tone thats intended. I think when he spoke out yesterday, there was some stunned silence for a second. I think some had expected a younger man. Hes 76. Some had expected someone who at least visually seemed to epitomize a more modern church. When you looked at that image of the new pope standing with some members of the church high arky, visually, cardinal dolan, it didnt exactly scream a modern church. Do you understand what i mean . I do, matt, and i appreciate your candor. By the way, i just enjoyed here with natalie watching the events of last night, because i hadnt seen them. We were behind the scenes literally so thanks for showing them again. I know what you mean, but we always say this. The longterm people who watch the church universal, and i would count you among them, you have the balcony moment, but then the real pontificate begins today. Thats where well begin to watch. We cardinals noticed some things immediately that he was doing differently. I dont know if we have time to go into them. Just give me one. Very simple. The protocols calls for all the cardinals to come up. As soon as hes elected pope and changes, they put the white chair out up on an elevated platform. Hes to sit there while we come up to express our love, gratitude and allegiance. When the he said, no em standing down here, so he greeted each of us as brothers, just literally on the same level we were. You heard the story. When we left to go over to st. Martha, where weve all been staying, they had his limo ready, he got back on the bus with us, like he had been doing for the whole conclave. Those are little signs that send signals, matt. You mention an important signal last night on the balcony, you mentioned some of the pluses and minuses of that, but boy, lets watch close. I think were going to see a lot of renewal. Real quickly, personal disappointment at all . Your mom was interviewed, by the way, and she said about you not being chosen as the next pope, im feeling relieved. Its not that he wouldnt have been good for the church, i know he would have done a great job, but i want him here. Spoken like a true mother. Ah, i havent talked to mom yet, but i send her my love, and shes got a new grandson. I have a new great nephew, charlie. No, i had relief, matt, only because weve got a pope and a darn good one. You listen to the people last night in the square. All they want is the pope. The that we had the chair of st. Pete you are was empty. Now its full again. That gives us hope, renewal. Thats the real relief i sensed last night. I thank you for your time, your eminence. Matt, good to be with us. Nbcs lester hold is . St. Peters square with more on the path to the papacy. Good morning to you. Reporter there was almost a sense of bewilderment. There was almost a sense of, who . Boy, when he stepped out on that loggia, the crowd erupted in cheers. Hes a quiet guy, a simple guy, even media shy, according to his biographer. He was born in buenos airs, born of five children born to italian immigrants, he studied to be a chemist, but in 1969 turnds to the priesthood. He joined the society of jesus. The formal name, and adopted an austere lifestyle. As archbishop, he could have lived in a palace, but instead lived in a modest apartment. He even rode the bus. This is a true man of god. This is a true man of god, a man of deep, deep spiritual life. A man who knows what the church needs in the 21st century. Reporter in his native argentina, bergoglio made it his mission to work among the people to fight on behalf of the poor. He was elevated to cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul ii. And in 2005, bergoglio was runnerup to Cardinal Ratzinger who would become Pope Benedict xvi, the man he succeeds. This is a man of dynamic orthodoxy, genuine missionary fervor. He could be very appealing to young people. This is a man who knows theres a lot that needs fixing in the central machinery of the church here in rome and i think hell go about fixing it quickly. Bergoglio told the cardinals he was taking the name francis in honor of the 13th century st. Francis assisi, who gave up his familys wealth to live in poverty. That spartan outlook was evidence in his choice of simple white robes as he was announced to the faithful around the world. Hes never actually worked inside the vatican but some have no doubt hes up to the task. This is a wonderful choice. We have a decent compassionate, strong, smart man. A man who now becomes the First Cardinal from the americas to head the roman Catholic Church, again. He went through a lot as a young man. As a teenager he suffered from a serious infection. They had to take out one of his lungs. He has only one. Im notice that the souvenir shops here has new bits of souvenirs with the new pope francis. How is he being receiving in his home country . Miguel almaguer is in argentina. Reporter good morning. Born and raised in this country, the pope has deep roots here, as well as in the cathedral just behind me. Hes the first noneuropean pope ever elected. He wall street celebrated around the world and all across laden america. Reporter on the streets, joy, excitement, sheer pride. Translator incredible sensation, feeling like bursting into tears. Reporter argentina has the first latinamerican pope in the 2,000year history of the papacy. Catholicism in this region is a way of life. One of the greatest moments in the history of our country. Reporter 4 out of every 10 catholics live here. Church insiders believe the election may build that base. We immediately knelt down and started to pray. Reporter known as a champion of the poor who lives a simple life. He first became archbishop of the Largest Church in 1998. Regarded as conservative, Church Insiders say hes committed to the religious doctrine and social justice. He as all then cat in his poverty, prayers, commitment to study and to the poor. Reporter his appointment has led to pride spanning from sports to the spiritual. The saying right now is we have messe and now we have the pope. That means gourd is argentinian. Reporter the celebration crossed borders and seas. In the u. S. , from denver to miami, catholics say theyve always had faith one day they would witness history. Its new for all of us. We are all happy and excited about that. Reporter hope, excitement and a pope that marks a new beginning. While the celebration ended just a short time ago, the controversy has already begun. Many have criticized the pope for not doing enough during a bloody dictatorship that began in the 70s and ending with some 30,000 people disappearing. Savannah . Thank you, miguel. Natalie is over at the vatican. Tamron hall has some of the other stories making headlines this morning. Passengers aboard another card van cruise ship facing disruption. Its docked in phillipsburg st. Marten. Passengers are not being left off the ship. The ship never lost power, though there were interruptions to elevators and toilets for a few hours last night. The situation comes to us one month after the carnival triumph was stranded in mexico for almost a week. Police stormed an abandoned building this morning in herkimer, new york, and killed a gunman. Curt myers had killed at least four people, police say. They say officers opened fire today after myers shot at a police dog. The president heads to capitol hill today for more meetings with both republicans and democratic lawmakers. This after Senate Democrats revealed a, quote, concrete plan to spur Economic Growth with some 1 trillion in new tax revenues over the coming decade. Now for a check of the market, Mary Thompson has the latest from cnbc world headquarters. Good morning. Good morning. Stocks are higher this morning following the seventh Straight Record close, coming after mixed economic news. First time unemployment claims unexpectedly dropping last week, but Producer Prices rose last month mostly because of the higher gasoline prices which right now are turning lower. Samsung announcing its galaxy smartphone today. The first lady is next months cover woman for vogue. In an interview she fires back at critics who say she and the president dont socialize enough in washington. Instead, she said, quote, our number one priority is making sure our family is whole, and she said she and her husband relieve the pressures of their job by spending time with daughters sasha and malia. Its now 7 17 on the west coast. What i like about this, she picked out her own clothes. Usually they give you a stylist. And shes wearing, and forgive me, because im a hill billiy texas, reed krakof. It sounds great when you say it. Dont look at me. Im a hill billy from new york. Wheres jed clampitt when you need it . Second time for vogue. Well see what it looks like. I know you have to meet jethro, but in the meantime, lets talk about our friends on the west coast. We are looking at more moisture in the Pacific Northwest. Nothing like theyve had over the last few days. Along the coast, we have dense fog advisories, dense marine fog advisories as well. The temperatures there along the Southern California coast in the 60s but inland temperatures will be hitting the 90s. Well gets to your local forecast in a moment, but first this message. 7 19. Thursday morning. Im Christina Loren. Taking a look high atop San Bernardino mountain. Gorgeous day, not as warm as yesterday. You will hit about 80 degrees. Greatlooking weekend shaping up as temperatures will level off on saturday. 75 inland. A great looking st. Patricks day. Hope you have a Beautiful Day all right. We are back. And lets just kind of wrap up that huge story of yesterday, the election of pope francis. We were all watching, i would imagine, live. You were on the air. Yeah. Most of us were in front of the tv set getting closer and closer as the moment appeared. I was afraid to sit down. At one point, i had to go to the bathroom and i was afraid to. I didnt want to miss it. I was afraid you were going to bring that up. What about the moment where, about 20 minutes before the pope emerged, that guy came to the window and pulled the curtain aside. I was like, thats not right. Theyre not supposed to be doing that. Hes thinking, i wonder if there are people out there. Yeah. A few hundred thousand. At one point on the handle and im live on msnbc, and im like, this door cannot be that difficult to open. Come on out. Theres so many moments of true suspension, any more, and this is one of them. Were all waiting, were going to hang on the words, what is the name of the new pope . Roll the tape. Cardinal bergoglio. Bergoglio. [ speaking Foreign Language ] francisco. Francisco. Your eminence . I know him very well. I like him very much. Whats his name for those of us who missed it . Thank you, brian. We were all wondering the same thing. What did he say . Nobody wanted to mess that up. There was no question about it. But it was exciting and joyous moment. And the faces of the people in the crowd to be there for history. It was great. Well, coming up, a lot more on the historic election of pope francis and what it means for the future of the Catholic Church. And new opposition to the decision to allow knives back on planes for the First Time Since 9 11. This morning the head of the tsa addresses the concern right here. In an exclusive live interview right here. But first, this is today on nbc. Still ahead, a heated dispute involving spanx, why the same company is being asked to stop making some of its products. And why we love our Morning Coffee. [ female announcer ] nothing gets you going quite like 8 grams of whole grains in quaker chewy bars. Today is going to be epic. Quaker up. So this year, make the most of it. Fly like youve never been grounded. Scream like youve never been shushed. Let go like you have nothing to lose. And hold on to what matters most. Its your vacation. Dont just take it. Mean it. Universal orlando. Vacation like you mean it. Can you start the day the way you want . Can orencia help . Could your i want become i can . Talk to your doctor. Orencia reduces many ra symptoms like pain, morning stiffness and progression of joint damage. Its helped new ra patients and those not helped enough by other treatments. Do not take orencia with another biologic medicine for ra due to an increased risk of serious infection. Serious side effects can occur including fatal infections. Cases of lymphoma and lung cancer have been reported. Tell your doctor if you are prone to or have any infection like an open sore or the flu or a history of copd, a chronic lung disease. Orencia may worsen your copd. [ male announcer ] now learn about a program committed to you and copay assistance that can reduce monthly orencia outofpocket drug cost to 5. If youre not satisfied after 6 months, you get that money back. Call 1800orencia. It is 7 26. Good morning. Im jon kelly. A sex offender was, in fak, on board a busloaded with High School Students on their way to a field trip. Students from Andrew Hill High School and Silver Creek High School were traveling on a bus on february 13th when a sex offender was discovered. It is unclear how the individual got on board. The School Superintendent tells us, per our discussions with the San Jose Police department, the preliminary investigative findings are that the individual in question did not have contact of any kind with any student on the bus that day. Well, of course, have an update coming for you during our 11 00 a. M. Newscast. Right now, lets turn to a much brighter note an take things outside. Christina loren says another good look and feel. Good morning, jon. You can see the sky from san bruno. Really pretty live shots. The sun coming up now. Beautiful start to the day here over the bay bridge. You can see the high in the midlevel clouds in addition to the other clouds. Fairfield, a half mile of visibility available to you. These numbers have been drifting in and out as we have been heading through the morning hours. We are expecting the fog to be at its worse between 9 00 a. M. , 71 degrees in fremont, 72, san jose and 72 in los gatos. Mike, you have had that issue on the rhodoads. It seems like it is still out there. A tow truck driver finishing cleaning up the parts after the Early Morning crash. North of 680. You see slowing at the scene, much improved. Headed into the 50s as you are coming past the area. The slowdown back towards the 85 interchange. That will need to improve. Your morning commu