White Plains Catholic Leaders: New Pope 'Humble, Holy'

When white smoke emerged from the Vatican's chimney Wednesday afternoon, Father Philip Quealy at Our Lady of Sorrow Church in White Plains was watching raptly.

Not from St. Peter's Square, but from his parish office on Mamaroneck Avenue.

And while some Papal elections have dragged on for months—or years—Quealy said he anticipated a quick vote this time around.

"I thought perhaps by Friday that we would have the election [results]," Quealy said Thursday morning.

"But I didnt expect it to be this soon," he added.

Quealy was quick to praise the new Pope, Jorge Bergoglio, a 76-year-old cardinal from Agentina who has assumed the title Pope Francis.

"I love it," Quealy said. "He is a very humble man, he is a man that cares for the needs of the poor. He wishes to exemplify the characteristics of St. Francis."

Quealy also lauded the new Pope's choice of title.

"It's a beautiful, humble and charitable name that brings forth the idea of reform in the church—but peaceful reform and leadership," he said.

Quealy noted upcoming masses and sermons at his White Plains church will like involve discussion of the new Catholic leader.

"We'll probably be talking about his personality as we learn a little bit more about him," he said. And the timing is ideal, Quealy added: the new Pope's election overlaps with Lent, a time to aid the poor and needy.

Pope Francis will be the first Jesuit to lead the church, a trait that likely hits home in a region that houses the likes of Fordham University. Quealy described Pope Francis as a conservative Jesuit.

At the Sisters of Divine Compassion convent in White Plains, Sister Carol Wagner, president of the organization, is equally pleased.

"We were very happy and excited to have a Jesuit priest elected as the Pope," she said Thursday. "And particularly because his commitment to the poor."

Wagner described Pope Francis—the first Catholic leader from South America—as a "humble, holy man."

Born Dec. 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis I was ordained for the Jesuits on Dec. 13, 1969, during his theological studies at the Theological Faculty of San Miguel, according to the Vatican.

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.

He was Adjunct Relator General of the 10th 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.

Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation last month, and that conclave began Tuesday the process of choosing a new pope.