South Brooklyn Catholics React To New Pope Francis

White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City Wednesday afternoon, signaling that a group of Catholic cardinals had picked a new pope to replace Benedict XVI, the New York Times reported.

"White Smoke !! We have a new Pope!" wrote Esther Tauscher on the Sacred Heart-St. Stephen’s Facebook page, echoing a wave of intrigue that quickly spread across the internet. It would be another hour until the world would know who had been chosen.

Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, of Argentina, made his first appearance as the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church on the balcony at St. Peter’s Basilica. He will go by the name Pope Francis—the first, in fact, ever to choose that name.

He is also the first Jesuit and the first South American pope.

“It is a source of pride to see the first election of a Pope from Latin America," said Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) in a released statement. "Equally important, Pope Francis has a distinguished record of working to comfort and assist the poor, while personally leading a humble life inspired by Christ. Like all Catholics I am excited by his election and join in praying for him as he assumes his new role.”

Local resident, Sacred Heart-St. Stephen's parishioner and frequent Patch blogger Laura Eng shared her own thoughts Wednesday evening.

"I was so excited to hear the name the new Pope had chosen, Francis, the name of one of the most beloved and humble saints!" Eng wrote in an e-mail to Patch. "I'm also happy that, for the first time, we have a Pope from the Americas and that he is known to be humble and a champion of the poor.

"I found his speech to be simple and sweet, especially when he asked for the 'favor' of a blessing," she went on, adding, "I'm not sure how much of a reformer he will be but I'm hopeful that the Church will slowly move forward and, in the very least, clean up its most serious problems. I will be praying for Pope Francis and for positive, progressive changes within the Church."

The new pope has been historically conservative as a cardinal and taken a vocal stance as anti-gay marriage and anti-gay adoption in the past. 

"‘We hope Pope Francis shows more Christian love and charity to the world’s 420 million lesbian, gay and bisexual people than his predecessor," Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill was quoted in Huffington Post.

Benedict recently announced that he would resign on the grounds that he was no longer physically able to carry out his job. He became the first pope in 598 years to resign, the Times reported. The new pontiff was chosen via secret ballot following two days of voting.

How do you feel, readers? Will the new pope bring change to the Catholic church?