New Pope Francis I Elected: Catholics in Fairfield React

The 266th Papal leader of the Roman Catholic Church was announced Wednesday afternoon: Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, former Archbishop of Buenos Aires, will take the place of retired Pope Benedict XVI. A Jesuit, Bergoglio is the first non-European leader in the last 1,000 years, according to the New York Times, and the first from the Americas. He will take the name of Pope Francis I.

“The election of a pope from Latin America is an historic precedent and an expression of optimism and courage on the part of the conclave," Fairfield University President Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. said in a statement released on Wednesday.

Rev. von Arx also praised Pope Francis I for his connection to the Society of Jesus—Fairfield University is the only Jesuit college in Connecticut.

"As Pope Francis I is a member of the Society of Jesus, this is a time for great humility and gratitude for our Society," he said. "With God’s guidance, may he lead the Church to greater unity and faithfulness to her Lord and become an inspirational leader, not only for his flock, but indeed, for the world.”

Father John Paul Long, resident priest at St. Emery's Roman Catholic Parish, told Patch on Wednesday that he was a bit surprised that they chose a 76 year-old to become the new pope.

"That's pretty old," he said. "I mean old for a new pope. I thought they would have chosen someone in their sixties...but he's a Jesuit, a man who lives in poverty and takes public transportation, so it's very interesting."

Father Long added that Pope Francis I might be the one to "clean up the church" as far as the recent sexual abuse crisis is concerned, but doesn't anticipate much will change as far as allowing priests to get married or allowing women to become priests.

"Those things are very difficult to change," he said. "Even if you're the boss, there are some traditions and scriptures that hold at the base of the church."

Long said that he thinks the Hispanic community in Fairfield and across the state will be very happy with the choice and that he wouldn't be suprised if the new bishop of the the Diocese of Bridgeport turned out to be Hispanic as well. 

"Some were speculating that the new pope would be Eastern European... but it is what it is and now we move on," he said.