New Pope Francis Elected: Catholics in Lansdale Area React

In speaking with Catholics in the Lansdale area, there was a consensus among many: Pope Francis was a welcome surprise.

"It wasn't one of the big names you heard floating around, as early as this morning," said Daniel McCarthy, theology department chair and interim assistant principal of student affairs at Lansdale Catholic High School.

McCarthy said Pope Francis seems like somebody who's willing to turn over a new leaf for the Catholic Church.

"He seems like a grandfatherly figure. There's a certain gentleness about him. I really did not know him before he stepped out on that balcony," he said.

Lansdale Catholic 10th-grader Sam Noti, of Hatfield, said no one has an idea of what Francis I has done in the past.

"I want to see, over the next year, how he runs the church," Noti said, "and if he puts the new rules in place."

Lansdale Catholic minister Father John Schiele admitted he didn't follow the list of frontrunners closely in newspapers and websites, to the point of one he wanted to be Pope or one he thought would be the high pontiff.

"I’ll admit, until I saw it on CNN, I realized he has not spent much of any time in Rome as part of the Vatican offices," Schiele said. "He seems to be coming in to a different perspective. He doesn’t have direct experience. Is he coming in with a fresh face? That becomes a possibility."

Schiele added that Francis I is not a total stranger to the Vatican, as the Cardinals have served on various boards and commissions associated with the Vatican office.

"I wish him the best, and he's in our prayers and I know we’re in his," he said.

Msgr. Thomas Flanigan, of Corpus Christi Church in Upper Gwynedd, was sure Francis I was a surprise for most people, as he wasn't named as a possibility by the media.

"His first appearnce should give people a lot of hope," he said. "He showed a lot of humility, by first inviting the people to pray for him as he bent down before he gave his blessing. I thought that was very moving."

Flanigan said there is humility in the choice of the name of Francis I, as it references either St. Francis of Assisi or the missionary Francis Xavier.

"It proves that the Holy Spirit guided this, because of the fact that it wasn’t somebody that was expected to be elected," he said. "And the very name that he took, those Francis’ are examples of humility and examples of people to follow."

Lansdale Catholic students watched Pope Francis make his first appearance on a big screen in the gymnasium Wednesday afternoon.

"There were a good number that seemed genuinely interested in what was happening. They clapped and cheered when he came out on the balcony. They shared in the excitement," he said. "There was a joyful feeling in the gym."

Lansdale Catholic senior Andrew Toro, of Lansdale, was happy that a new Pope was named for the church.

"As long as there is a Holy Father working at the Vatican, I'm happy about it," he said.

Sophomore John Sagl, of Franconia, appreciated Francis was from Argentina.  

"I'm happy to see there's finally a Pope from the Americas," he said.

Student Ryan Leddy shared in the joy.

"I feel like we have to see how it plays out to see how it goes," he said.  

"I stil hope he comes to Philly," said sophomore Karyne Kozar, of Abington, referencing former Pope Benedict XVI's planned appearance in the City of Brotherly Love prior to his resignation Feb. 28.   

Flanigan said Pope Francis will be good for the Catholic Church. 

"His competence is far beyond what people know," he said. "People will eventually get to know about him as time goes on."

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