Toms River Reacts: Argentina’s Cardinal Bergoglio Elected Pope

Argentine Jorge Bergoglio has been elected pope and Toms River residents have already shown signs of support for the new leader of the Catholic Church. 

"Excellent choice," said Lee Anne Guryn on the Toms River Patch Facebook page moments after the new pope — who chose the name Francis — was elected following a two day conclave.

White rose from the smokestack of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City on Wednesday, signaling that the cardinals reached an agreement and selected a new pope. The new leader was chosen in five rounds of voting, according to the Wall Street Journal.

"I think he will do what it takes to get the church back on track," said Patch reader Paul Perillo on Facebook. 

"God bless him and give him strength and wisdom as he guides the masses," said Susie Gunder on the social media Website. 

"God bless Pope Francis I," echoed Karen L Enners Amaral. 

Pope Francis is the first ever from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millennium. Catholics were without a pope since Benedict XVI's resignation in February, the first to do so in centuries. 

TELL US: What do you think of the new pope? What do you hope he can accomplish in his position?