Islam Karimov congratulates His Holiness Francis

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov has sent a greeting letter to His Holiness Francis on his election as pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected in a surprise choice to be the new leader of the troubled Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, taking the name Francis I.

He has become the first non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years and the 226th head of Vatican. He received 77 votes of Cardinals.