(CNN) -- Catholic faithful from Latin America cheered the historic election of the first pope from the region Wednesday. Crowds swarmed outside the metropolitan cathedral in Buenos Aires, chanting as they waved Argentine flags. Smiling immigrants and tourists praised the news on the steps of New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral. Pilgrims at Mexico City's Basilica of Guadalupe said they were thrilled. Even though about 480 million of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics live in Latin America, for centuries, the church's top job has gone to Europeans. That changed with the announcement that Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who served as archbishop of Buenos Aires, would become the new pontiff. Bergoglio, 76, chose the name Pope Francis.
@highlight
"Today is a historic day," Argentina's president says
@highlight
Priest: The pope's past as the son of immigrants could resonate with Latinos
@highlight
Mexican bishops say his selection is "a sign of love" for Latin American churches
@highlight
Pope Francis is the first pope from Latin America
"The election of a @placeholder pope demonstrates that we are now empowered with this faith," Molina said.