Francis is first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years By Josh Levs and Holly Yan, CNN March 14, 2013 -- Updated 1529 GMT (2329 HKT) It was 741 when someone from outside Europe last led the Roman Catholic Church That's when Pope Gregory III, born in Syria, ended his 10-year reign That's just one of several unusual things about the new Pope Francis (CNN) -- Pope Francis is a first in many ways. He's the first Latin American pontiff; the first Jesuit; the first Francis -- and the first non-European in 1,272 years. The last time someone from outside Europe led the Roman Catholic Church was the year 741. That's when Pope Gregory III, born in Syria, ended his 10-year reign. Before him, there were popes from Bethlehem (St. Evaristus, from 97 to 105), Jerusalem (Pope Theodore I, from 642 to 649) and modern-day Libya (Saint Victor I, from 189 to 199). And, of course, the church counts Peter, disciple of Jesus from the Holy Land, as the first pope. Several other Syrians have also served as pontiff. The majority of popes have been Italian. Over the centuries, the length of reign has varied widely. Pope Pius IX reigned the longest, more than 31 years, from 1846 to 1878. See the longest-reigning popes The record for shortest reign goes to Pope Urban VII, who served for 13 days in 1590. See the shortest-reigning popes March 14, 2013 -- Updated 1530 GMT (2330 HKT) A man of many firsts, Pope Francis will spend part of his first full day celebrating Mass with the cardinals who elected him. March 14, 2013 -- Updated 1550 GMT (2350 HKT) March 14, 2013 -- Updated 0821 GMT (1621 HKT) Click through our gallery to see photos of the celebrations after a new pope was announced. March 14, 2013 -- Updated 1151 GMT (1951 HKT) The election of a pope from Latin America shows the emerging influence of the region in the Catholic church and the world, church officials and world leaders said Wednesday. March 14, 2013 -- Updated 1231 GMT (2031 HKT) Get to know Pope Francis, a man of simplicity facing complex challenges, through photos. March 14, 2013 -- Updated 1152 GMT (1952 HKT) Pope Francis began his first full day as leader of the Catholic Church praying at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. See what else is on the schedule. One of the first questions many people ask when they start a new job is: what type of car will I get? March 14, 2013 -- Updated 1258 GMT (2058 HKT) March 14, 2013 -- Updated 1158 GMT (1958 HKT) Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina is known as a humble man, a capable administrator and -- as expected of a new pope -- a man of great faith. March 14, 2013 -- Updated 1201 GMT (2001 HKT) Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina, the new pope, is breaking historic ground by choosing the name Francis. March 14, 2013 -- Updated 0016 GMT (0816 HKT) St. Francis of Assisi, after whom Pope Francis has taken his name, captures the spirit of many Catholics because church history regards him as the pre-eminent figure passionate about imitating Christ's life. March 13, 2013 -- Updated 2255 GMT (0655 HKT) As 150,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican to cheer the election of the new pope, millions joined in on Twitter and Facebook.