Dexter Pastor Reacts to Election of Pope Francis

A new pope has been named to lead the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, of Argentina, has been elected the 266th pope and is the first pope from Latin America.

The Rev. Brendan J. Walsh, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dexter, said he is thankful for a humble pope.

"We the parishioners of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dexter give praise and thanks to God for this humble and holy man of service.  We trust his simple lifestyle will inspire us to not simply live our faith but to become active in practicing our faith," he said in an email to Patch.

Bergoglio is the son of middle-class Italian immigrants and became the first Jesuit archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was appointed cardinal three years later, according to the Washington Post. The article stated that Bergoglio leans to the conservative side on doctrinal and spiritual issues and opposes abortion and supports celibacy among priest.

He will take the name of Pope Francis, according to the Huffington Post.

The Rev. William J. Turner, pastor of St. Mary Church in Chelsea, agreed with Walsh.

"I think the church is very pleased that they've chosen a humble man of the people who has a history of being very down to earth and working with people and their concerns, especially his care for the poor," he said.

Turner said the pope has a full plate of issues to address, including the Catholic Church's structure. 

"There can be those people who do not want to change the current system in any way in terms of administration," he said. "But sometimes those things have to change."

Despite not having a front runner, in one of the fastest conclaves in years, Bergoglio received the necessary minimum of two-thirds (77) of the 115 votes on the fifth ballot, reported the Detroit News.

What do you think of the decision, Dexter? Tell us in the comments.