There were a lot of big firsts for the Catholic Church Wednesday as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina was elected Pope.
Pope Francis the first Pope from Latin America, the first Pope from outside of Europe in over a millennium, and the first Pope to take the name Francis. He is also the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis, is the son of Italian immigrants and was raised in Argentina. He spent the last 15 years serving the church as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. He was proclaimed a Cardinal In 2001 by Pope John Paul II.
Pope Francis is known for strong stances against abortion, contraceptives, and same sex marriage.
According to FOX News, Pope Francis lived very humbly while in Argentina. He apparently shared an apartment in Buenos Aires and cooked dinner for himself every night.
When he emerged from the Vatican Wednesday afternoon, the Pope seemed humbled by the church's decision.
"The duty of the conclave was to appoint a Bishop of Rome and it seems to me that my brother Cardinals have chosen one who is from far away, so here I am," said Pope Francis as he stood from the balcony of the Vatican.
Across the world the Catholic Church is receiving praise for the election of a Pope from Latin America. Today Latin-Americans around the world celebrated the decision of Pope Francis. Including Latinos in Michiana, who say they're thrilled he was chosen.
"You just feel like he's one of us," said Elizabeth Campos, a parishioner at St. Vincent de Paul - Elkhart. "I mean we're in a Catholic church and it's a universal church, but maybe he will be able to understand our culture a little bit more is just very good news."
The name Francis is said to be in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who was the apostle of the poor. When Pope Benedict, was elected in 2005, Pope Francis actually received the second most votes.
