Local church leaders react to new pope

WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - It's been a very exciting day for those in the Catholic Church.
     
On just the second day of the conclave, the cardinals chose 76-year-old Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina to become the next pope.
     
Cardinal Bergoglio selected the name Francis in honor of his Jesuit brother.
     
He's the first cardinal from outside Europe to be elected Pope in over 1000 years. He is also the first Jesuit Pope ever.
     
Tens of thousands of people were gathered outside Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City waiting for the announcement. However, many officials didn't expect the decision to be made so soon.
     
The Sisters of Providence at Saint Mary of the Woods were gathered around television and computers waiting and listening for the announcement.
     
Sister Denise Wilkinson says this shows the church heading in a new direction; and they're facing several challenges that Pope Francis the first will lead them through.

"He sets the tone, he sets the standard," said Wilkinson, "and with the church having been so much in a prominent place in the United States for the last several years, and not always in the best way, I think there's a real hope that like Benedict, he will be a leader who speaks to the world and who gives the church credibility again."

For those wondering why Bergoglio chose the name Francis, Sister Wilkinson says Saint Francis was a person of great peace and love, something the new Pope will need to show people all over the world.