Speak Out: Cardinals Pick Bergoglio, Now Pope Francis

The College of Cardinals at the Vatican in Rome has chosen Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, of Argentina, as the Roman Catholic Church new pope. White smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the traditional signal that the selection has been made, shortly after 2 p.m. today (a little after 7 p.m. in Rome).

"I am excited and hoping this new pope can unite the Catholics of the world and bring our church into the 21st century," commented Angela Marie Acampora-Melendez of Adairsville on Cartersville Patch's Facebook page.

According to his Vatican bio, Pope Francis was born Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires; he was ordained for the Jesuits Dec. 13, 1969. Bergolgio served as President of the Bishops' Conference of Argentina from November 2005 until November 2011.

The name of the church’s new leader remained a mystery for about an hour until he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. St. John the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Leesburg and St. Theresa Catholic Church in Ashburn are two of Loudoun’s parishes awaiting the name.

While several Cartersville Patch Facebook fans were "Excited!" as NorbertoyKarrie Alcazar commented, others expressed a different sentiment.

"Worried," was Jason P. Verhine's one-word response to the news, while Wanda McClure McCollum "could not care less!"

What are your thoughts or feelings on the new pope? What will the change mean here in Cartersville? What do you think of the choice? Speak out in the comments below and let us know what you think.

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