DAYTON -- All eyes were on Vatican City when the Catholic Church thier new leader, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Wednesday afternoon. The local Catholic community was excited about the selection of Pope Francis. Professors and students at University of Dayton, a Catholic University, watched his first address to the people with a spirit of joy and excitement.
Bergoglio, who will be called Pope Francis, is the first Pope from Argentina, the first ever pope from the Americas.
Joseph Valenzano, and Assistant Professor of Communications at UD likes the pick.
"You have an enormous amount (of Catholics) in Latin America and I think that residence is really important and that symbolism is important because now for that particular group of the Catholic population you have somebody that speaks Spanish fluently as a first language, which is really tremendous," Valenzano said. "This particular pope when he was bishop and cardinal he took the bus to work, cared very deeply for the poor in South America, Latin America and so those are things that resonate to a Saint Francis."
"It's a very shrewd way of bridging the church in Europe with the majority of the church in the two thirds world, where the majority of Catholics live," said Ramon Luzarrada, Lecturer of religious studies at UD.
Students and faculty say what makes the choice of Pope Francis a solid one is his background. Pope Francis is known for being extremely humble, with a simple lifestyle.
"I'm excited that there's a new Pope,'' UD Senior Colleen Ambrose told us. "Everybody was freaking out when the old Pope resigned right before Lent and I heard in the past that it's taken a lot longer to choose a new pope, so I'm excited."
"I think it's great, I think they made a good choice, because he was up before but he made it this time," said Evette Oser, a Catholic at Saint Anthony of Padua.
He was the runner up to Pope Benedict in 2005. A little concerning though was his age. At 76 years old, many, including Valenzano, thought the choice would be a bit younger.
"I think I was a little surprised by the age of the pope at 76," Valenzano said. "Typically long papacies like John Paul II are followed by more abbreviated papacies like Benedict's 7-10 years and then you get another longer papacy.''
Overall, local Catholics are excited about the pope. They say his name, Pope Francis, speaks for itself. He's named after Saint Francis of Assisi, who dedicated his life of service for the poor.
"He was there for those who were poor and downtrodden and he came from a rich family, himself who then took care and gave that all up," said Janet Gaier, of Saint Anthony of Padua.
It's that commonality that gives local Catholics hope in their new leader.
"I mean I'm never going to have the opportunity to approach him but it makes me comfortable knowing that he's not some guy sitting on a pedestal," said Ambrose.
Pope Francis is expected to begin his public duties immediately.
Tomorrow at 12:05 p.m. there will be a local celebration at the Immaculate Conception Chapel on the University of Dayton campus. Everyone is welcome.
Bergoglio, who will be called Pope Francis, is the first Pope from Argentina, the first ever pope from the Americas.
Joseph Valenzano, and Assistant Professor of Communications at UD likes the pick.
"You have an enormous amount (of Catholics) in Latin America and I think that residence is really important and that symbolism is important because now for that particular group of the Catholic population you have somebody that speaks Spanish fluently as a first language, which is really tremendous," Valenzano said. "This particular pope when he was bishop and cardinal he took the bus to work, cared very deeply for the poor in South America, Latin America and so those are things that resonate to a Saint Francis."
"It's a very shrewd way of bridging the church in Europe with the majority of the church in the two thirds world, where the majority of Catholics live," said Ramon Luzarrada, Lecturer of religious studies at UD.
Students and faculty say what makes the choice of Pope Francis a solid one is his background. Pope Francis is known for being extremely humble, with a simple lifestyle.
"I'm excited that there's a new Pope,'' UD Senior Colleen Ambrose told us. "Everybody was freaking out when the old Pope resigned right before Lent and I heard in the past that it's taken a lot longer to choose a new pope, so I'm excited."
"I think it's great, I think they made a good choice, because he was up before but he made it this time," said Evette Oser, a Catholic at Saint Anthony of Padua.
He was the runner up to Pope Benedict in 2005. A little concerning though was his age. At 76 years old, many, including Valenzano, thought the choice would be a bit younger.
"I think I was a little surprised by the age of the pope at 76," Valenzano said. "Typically long papacies like John Paul II are followed by more abbreviated papacies like Benedict's 7-10 years and then you get another longer papacy.''
Overall, local Catholics are excited about the pope. They say his name, Pope Francis, speaks for itself. He's named after Saint Francis of Assisi, who dedicated his life of service for the poor.
"He was there for those who were poor and downtrodden and he came from a rich family, himself who then took care and gave that all up," said Janet Gaier, of Saint Anthony of Padua.
It's that commonality that gives local Catholics hope in their new leader.
"I mean I'm never going to have the opportunity to approach him but it makes me comfortable knowing that he's not some guy sitting on a pedestal," said Ambrose.
Pope Francis is expected to begin his public duties immediately.
Tomorrow at 12:05 p.m. there will be a local celebration at the Immaculate Conception Chapel on the University of Dayton campus. Everyone is welcome.
