Wyandotte Residents React to Election of New 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.

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.

Bishop Jerry Brohl, with Blessed John XXIII Community in Wyandotte, said he is interested in seeing if the new pope makes any serious effort to reform the governance of the church.

He added he does not expect any changes in the traditional view on abortion, homosexuality, or other church doctrines.

"Because of the need in Latin American countries for clergy, I'm hoping for movement on optional celibacy, married priests, women in the diaconate, and inviting laicized married priests to return to ministry," Brohl said in an email.

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. The article stated that The Archdiocese of Detroit plans a special service Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the election of the new Pope, with time and place to be announced.

A few Patch users reacted to the decision on the Wyandotte Patch Facebook page:

• Kim Calvin Piesik From what I've read about him, Pope Francis has the piety and humility needed for the office. I welcome him as the leader of my faith.
• Cass Pawlowski overjoyed, a breath of fresh air, new hope...
• Karyn Renaud Brown Seems like a nice humble guy.
• Eydie Montana I've loved all the Popes in my lifetime regardless of where their roots lay. I trust the decision is inspired, making Pope Francis the best choice for The Church. I'm really happy for all of us and he does seem like a humble man.
• Nikki Kamin I think thats pretty cool
• Stacey Sutowski-Shurtz I think that it is AWESOME...a new pope with a lot of first connected to him...(first pope to retire so he can be elected, first pope from outside of europe, and the first pope to choose the name Francis) I see a new hope for the future of the church!!!

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