Buckhead Prayer Leader: New Pope 'Humble with Great Vision"

You could hear the excitement in Jeanne Dennis' voice as she talked about the new Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, the leader of 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide.

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was selected as the new Pope, choosing the name Francis I.

"I am absolutely thrilled as a devout Catholic," said Dennis, who helps lead a prayer group at Buckhead's Cathedral of Christ the King. "This is a great movement from the Holy Spirit."

Dennis described Bergoglio as "humble with great vision for the Kingdom."

He is known for working closely with the poor and is thought to be showing a new era for Catholicism by choosing the name Francis, the humble 13th-century Italian minister who lived in poverty.

She, like many Catholics around the world, had a strong positive reaction to Bergoglio's appearance, gestures and prayers.

She liked that Bergoglio prayed for retired Pope Benedict and expressed gratitude.

"I just think he has it in order," Dennis said, "because of his humiliaty. He's committed to our faith and is a great shepherd in the universal Catholic flock."

Atlanta's archbishop feels similarly about Bergoglio.

"He's truly a holy man," said Archbishop Wilton Gregory of the Archdiocese of Atlanta about Bergoglio during a live newscast of ABC News Wednesday afternoon next to news anchor Diane Sawyer.

Gregory, who lives in Buckhead, was visibly moved by the gestures and words of Bergoglio, whom he said has won the hearts of many Catholics already with his simple message.

"He speaks in a common way, in a way that connects with people," Gregory said, continuing later, "I've heard that he's a saint, that he is so committed to the service of the poor, to living simply..."

Bergoglio, 76,  is the first Jesuit pope, as well as the first pope from Latin America. The former archbishop of Buenos Aires is also the first in modern times to have chosen the name Francis.

He succeeds Pope Benedict XVI, who cited health reasons in becoming the first pope to step down in some 600 years.

Gregory said he was surprised, "delightfully so," in the 115 cardinal electors' choice of Bergoglio.

"I'm not Argentine, but I couldn't be happier," Gregory said.