` ` Today is a historic day , '' Argentina 's president says . Priest : The pope 's status as the son of immigrants could resonate with Latinos . In his first speech from the balcony of St. Peter 's Basilica , he quipped Wednesday that cardinals had gone to `` the end of the world '' to find him . Mexican bishops say his selection is ` ` a beacon of hope '' for Latin American churches . Pope Francis is the first pope from Latin America .
` ` Today is a historic day , '' Argentina 's president says . Priest : The pope 's status as the son of immigrants could resonate with Latinos . Mexican bishops say his selection is ` ` a beacon of hope '' for Latin American churches . Pope Francis is the first pope from Latin America .