New Pope Francis I Elected: Catholics in Portsmouth React

Catholics across the world are rejoicing today as the College of Cardinals elected the first Pope from the Americas by naming Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio the 266th Successor of Saint Peter.

The joy - and even some apathy - spread to New Hampshire and, specifically, Portsmouth.

Several locals responded to a callout on our Portsmouth Patch Facebook page.

"Pope Francis I is a fine choice to try and bring the church into the 21st century relieving the church of the bondage of sin and scandal and sorting out the Vatican Bank," said Stacey B. Lowell.

Leigh Sloane simply said, "Viva Papa Francis I."

Bud Green of Kittery, Maine, who works in Portsmouth, said he, too, was very pleased with Pope Francis I. "The name St. Francis means he was a big game changer in the church previously and the fact that he took the name Francis makes me hope that he will be able to change the nature of the church again." he said.

Green said he was also glad that Pope Francis I is from South America. “I think it’s reflection of where the majority of true Catholics reside,” he said.

Green said Pope Francis I's humble background also says to him that he will be able “to be the Pope for the masses” like he was a cardinal for the masses.

Rev. Gary Bellivieau, the pastor at Corpus Christi Parish, held a special Mass at St. Catharine of Siena church on Wednesday evening where Portsmouth area Catholics could come together and celebrate Pope Francis I's election and pray for the new Holy Father. Bellivieau said there are 2,000 families who attend Corpus Christi Parish that serves Portsmouth and the surrounding communities, St. Catherine Emmaculate Conception and St. James Church in Portsmouth.

As she sat in a pew and prayed, Helen Ward of Portsmouth smiled when she talked about what Pope Francis I would bring to the Catholic Church. "He's very humble and soft spoken and he is very prayerful and spiritual. I think he will do good things for the church, bring back the fallen that have broken away" she said.

Jim Clark of Rye, another St. Catherine of Siena parishoner, said he thought the Conclave made an excellent choice. He believes the cardinals' choice reflects the fact that South America is home of the world's highest number of Catholics. He believes the strong Catholic faith that many Latin American people have will help strengthen the church.

"We need people that are living the faith everyday in everything that they do," Clark said. "I believe he will be a good leader for the world."

For those looking to celebrate the occasion, Reverend Peter A. Libasci, Bishop of Manchester, is inviting all New Hampshire Catholics to join him in celebrating a special Mass for the Pope at 6 p.m. tonight, at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph at the intersection of Pine Street and Lowell Street in Manchester.

On Twitter, several of New Hampshire's legislators commented on the new Pope as well. Kelly Ayotte for instance, Tweeted: Prayers and best wishes for @Pontifex, Pope Francis!

Across the Twitter political aisle, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen offered: Congratulations to @pontifex Pope Francis I and Catholics across the country.

The official Vatican Website offers the following biographical information on Bergoglio:

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J., Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ordinary for Eastern-rite faithful in Argentina who lack an Ordinary of their own rite, was born on 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires. He was ordained for the Jesuits on 13 December 1969 during his theological studies at the Theological Faculty of San Miguel.

He was novice master in San Miguel, where he also taught theology. He was Provincial for Argentina (1973-1979) and rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel (1980-1986). After completing his doctoral dissertation in Germany, he served as a confessor and spiritual director in Córdoba.

On 20 May 1992 he was appointed titular Bishop of Auca and Auxiliary of Buenos Aires, receiving episcopal consecration on 27 June. On 3 June 1997 was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Buenos Aires and succeeded Cardinal Antonio Quarracino on 28 February 1998. He is also Ordinary for Eastern-rite faithful in Argentina who lack an Ordinary of their own rite.

Adjunct Relator General of the 10^th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, October 2001.

He served as President of the Bishops' Conference of Argentina from 8 November 2005 until 8 November 2011.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by the Bl. John Paul II in the consistory of 21 February 2001, of the  Title of S. Roberto Bellarmino (St. Robert Bellarmine).

Member of:

• Congregations: for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments; for the Clergy; for  Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life ;
• Pontifical Council for the Family;
• Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

Check back with Portsmouth Patch later today for more on the big announcement.