The whole world watched Wednesday as a new pope was named to lead the Roman Catholic Church.
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, of Argentina, was elected to be the 266th pope. He is the first pope from Latin America.
Bergoglio is the son of middle-class Italian immigrants and became the first Jesuit archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was appointed cardinal three years later by then-Pope John Paul II.
Bergoglio leans to the conservative side on doctrinal and spiritual issues, the Washington Post reports, and opposes abortion and supports celibacy among priests.
Bergoglio will take the name of Pope Francis, naming himself after St. Francis of Assisi, who gave up his riches and chose a life of poverty, NBC News reports.
Despite not having a front runner, in one of the fastest conclaves in years, Bergoglio received the necessary minimum of two-thirds (77) of the 115 votes on the fifth ballot. Bergoglio was a runner-up in the 2005 papal elections, when Pope Benedict XVI was elected.
Monsignor John Zenz, pastor of Birmingham's Holy Name Catholic Church, said that the new pope's middle class, austere lifestyle will be a good model for Catholics to follow.
"He's a great witness to the gospels by his own person," said Zenz. "He's got a very compelling story and he's a great choice, although it was an unexpected name to hear."
Bergoglio replaces Pope Benedict XVI, who announced in late February that due to continuing health problems, he would be retiring. He was the first pope to retire in 600 yers.
In honor of the decision, Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron will lead a special service Wednesday afternoon Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. The service is scheduled for 5:15 p.m.
What do you think about Pope Francis I? What kind of issues would you like to see the Catholic Church address in coming years?
