Ms Fernandez told jubilant supporters in Buenos Aires' Plaza de Mayo that she wanted to keep Argentina growing.

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Her eyes were shining behind her black Madres de Plaza de Mayo glasses.

NEWYORKER: The Pura Principle

The Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, whose own children were disappeared, have identified dozens of sons and daughters of victims of the military repression.

BBC: Argentina identifies Dirty War victim from 1976

Twenty-four years later, using DNA tests arranged by the human rights movement Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, Ms Montenegro found out about her real identity.

BBC: Argentina identifies Dirty War victim from 1976

Back in Francis' home city, the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires, the faithful packed the main square to watch the event on large screens set up throughout the Plaza de Mayo.

CNN: March 19, 2013 -- Updated 1407 GMT (2207 HKT)

In Buenos Aires, hundreds of people gathered outside the cathedral in the Plaza de Mayo, considered the heart of the country, and burst into celebration when their native son was elevated.

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The 76-year-old former archbishop of Buenos Aires, who was elected Wednesday as the first-ever Latin American pontiff, was feted by thousands of chanting and flag-waving Argentines gathered outside the cathedral in the Plaza de Mayo in downtown Buenos Aires.

WSJ: New Leader Elicits Pride Back Home

On Saturday, 150 years later, Hayes-Bautista is scheduled to participate in a Cinco de Mayo celebration at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a Smithsonian affiliate in downtown Los Angeles.

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