New Pope 2013: New Pope Once Clashed with Argentinean President Christina Fernandez Kirchner Over Same-Sex Marriage

Move over Evita Peron, Argentina has a new icon - Pope Francis or former Argentinean Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

After his election on Wednesday night as the first pope from a third world country, the world's eyes started to focus on the successor of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI amid calls for reforms of the scandal-ridden Catholic Church.

If his record as Archbishop of Buenos Aires is an indicator, Pope Francis holds promise since even then he dared go against another popular Argentinean female politician seen as reincarnation of some sorts of Evita Peron - President Christina Fernandez Kirschner.

Then Cardinal Bergoglio opposed same-sex marriage to the dismay of Ms Kirschner, who pushed for the legislation. In response to the bill, the cardinal was quoted as saying, "This is no mere legislative bill. It is a move by the father of lies to confuse and deceive the children of God."

Such strong statements, however, is also expected to disappoint some Catholics who want a pope with a more liberal attitude toward gays, contraception and female priests.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), meanwhile, expressed hopes that Pope Francis would be different from his predecessor who appeared not to have done anything to address the sex abuses by clergymen on minors.

Nicky Davis of SNAP challenged the new pope to show to the world that he is serious about addressing the decades-long problem on child sexual abuse and urged him to hand over the secret Vatican files about child abuse cases to the Australian Royal Commission established to investigate cases of child sex abuse in Australia.

She also dared Pope Francis to repeal all church laws and procedures that mandate secrecy and the protection of reputations in favour of child safety.

"Then, and only then, will abuse victims have cause to hope for something from this new Pope other than more of the usual denials, excuses and evasions," News.com.au quoted Ms Davis.

Despite his differences with Ms Kirschner, the Argentinean president still congratulated the new pope on his election. Her tweet read:

"In my name, in the name of the Argentine Government, and on behalf of the people from our country, I want to greet you and express my congratulations on your election as the new Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church.

"It is our desire that you have, as you assume the leadership and guidance of the church, a fruitful pastoral career, playing such great responsibility toward advancing justice, equality, fraternity and peace of mankind.

"I extend to Your Holiness, my consideration and respect."

Other world leader such as U.S. President Barack Obama and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon also sent their congratulations to the pontiff.

With the pope now identified, there are questions if retired NBA player Dennis Rodman, who is in Vatican City now, would be able to snag a sit-down with Pope Francis. If the new pontiff's schedule would be too tight to accommodate Mr Rodman, maybe he could listen to these tips from the hardcourt hero.