Hoosier Catholics react to new pope

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - After just two days and five votes, black smoke turned to white.

Cardinals chose Jorge Mario Bergoglio to be the new leader of the Catholic Church.

Hoosier Catholics say they look forward to seeing what Pope Francis will do for the church.

At a Wednesday evening mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Indianapolis’ east side, the new Pope – and the simple way he lives his life – was a topic of conversation.

The previous Archbishop from Buenos Aires represents the first from Latin America,and the first not chosen from Europe in 1,200 years.

At Holy Spirit, a church with a growing Hispanic community, that’s important.

“I’m happy, because for the first time, Papa is from America,” said Francisco Chavez of Indianapolis.

“It’s very good. He’s the first one in I don’t know how many years,” said Pedro Herrera. “That’s important for us.”

Students at Holy Spirit also were well aware of what the new Pope means for the church.

“They picked a good new pope for us; I think it’s different, that’s what it is,” said student Lauren Cavanaugh.

“I think the election of somebody from Latin America is a reminder of what Catholic means,” said Archbishop Joseph Tobin. Tobin says this shows the universality of the Catholic Church.

Archbishop Tobin of Indianapolis has worked closely with several Popes, in fact - he sat next to Pope Francis at a Senate of Bishops in Rome in 2005. Tobin explained he had found Pope Francis to be a man of great simplicity.

In addition to other firsts, this Pope also is the first to choose the name Francis. The archbishop gave one reason why the name may have been chosen.

“Christ said, ‘Francis, rebuild my church,’” he said, explaining Saint Francis’ particular mission was to be a life giving source within the church, to revitalize it.

Tobin will meet the Pope in June when he goes to Rome.

The announcement was also particularly exciting to students and teachers at Brebeuf High School on the city's north side.

They are the only Jesuit high school in the entire state.

“It was very exciting, it was great to hear the kids cheer today after school. This is the first Jesuit Pope ever. It's a tremendous honor to the order, and it's a tremendous honor to our students even. They feel a part of this larger organization,” said Jen LaMaster, the Director of Faculty Development at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School.

LaMaster says a large part of the Jesuit order is a commitment to social issues and social justice.

She says she's excited about teaching her students more about the greater world beyond Indianapolis.

Archbishop Tobin will say mass Thursday at SS Peter and Paul Cathedral in downtown Indianapolis at noon.

While he acknowledges there are many challenges ahead for Pope Francis, he and other Catholics in Indianapolis say they believe this man is the right choice.