Locals across the community responded to the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J. of Argentina who will serve as the 266th pope.
A Jesuit, the newly renamed Pope Francis I was born in 1936 in Buenos Aires.
Maria who works and lives in East Meadow said that she is happy with the decision.
"I am glad," she said. "I like that he is the first pope in 1,000 years to not be from Europe and I am from Europe. "He is 76 and that is a bit old, but I am happy."
The Diocese of Rockville Centre released a statement regarding the announcement of the election of a new pope.
"Bishop William Murphy and the Roman Catholic Church of Rockville Centre join the universal Church in rejoicing in the selection of Francis I as Pope. We give thanks to God for the gift of Pope Francis I, the 266th successor of Saint Peter, the Vicar of Christ on earth. We join the Church in prayer for our new Holy Father as he begins his new ministry."
What are your thoughts on the new pope? Tell us in the comments below.
