New Pope Francis I Elected: Medford Reacts

The conclave of cardinals at the Vatican did not take long to select a new pope, electing Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as pope Wednesday.

Bergoglio took the papal name of Francis I and will now begin is reign as pontiff. Francis is the first Jesuit pope and the first-ever to hail from the Western Hemisphere.

We asked our readers on Facebook and Twitter here in Medford for reaction to the election of Francis as pope.

Medford, of course, is home to the St. Francis of Assisi Parish. A parochial school operated at the parish until 2010, according to their website.

"As an alumnus of St. Francis of Assisi School in Medford, I'm very happy to hear the name the Pope has chosen," wrote Facebook reader Mary Wickwire Ames. "God bless Pope Francis!"

Father Chip Hines of St. Joseph Parish said Thursday that he's very pleased and excited with the selection of Pope Francis.

"I think he will lead us in the right direction with his humble style," Hines said. "I think he will be good for the church, he'll help us to re-energize and re-evangelize the people we are trying to reach."

A Medford church from another denomination issued a statement about Francis' ascension to the papacy Wednesday afternoon. 

"We pray for Pope Francis I and the Roman Catholic Church," Grace Episcopal Church posted on their Facebook page this afternoon. "May the work of Christ continue in our many expressions and traditions, and may we all come together in our one God's holy reign."

What are your thoughts about the election of Pope Francis I? We are hoping to get reaction from Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Post your thoughts in the comment section or e-mail us at jake.odonnell@patch.com for consideration.