Toms River Reacts: Argentina’s Cardinal Bergoglio Elected Pope
New pope follows Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned in February
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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?
Bailey
11:03 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Old white guy. Just another slice off of the loaf.
Ortley Fulltimer
11:03 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
The Pope will not be called Francis I until he dies and another Pope Francis is elected. Until then....... its Pope Francis.
Susan
11:03 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Please correct your article. His name is NOT Francis I. It is simply Pope Francis. It would be like calling him Francis, Sr. when Jr. hasn't been born yet.
Ken
11:03 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Do not know a lot about him, but have been hearing some good things.
CheerMom1
9:47 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wishing him the wisdom and strength to lead the church well.
Don Lombardi
1:30 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Pope Francis will, I believe, come a "breath of fresh air" from God. He will be less of a traditionalist than his recent predecessors, less conservative and more open to change. This is really what is needed to bring the Church into the 21st Century and an opportunity to bring its members back into the fold. Catholics throughout the world have sought reform, modernity and a realization from the Vatican that the world is a far, far different place since the times of Saints Peter and Paul. Long-live Pope Francis!