West Texans Excited About Newly Announced Pope
By: Katiera Winfrey
Updated: March 13, 2013
The symbol used to announce that an agreement had been made was white smoke billowing from a chimney.
"Finally we have a new pope, and it's a great feeling," said St. Ann's Parishioner Torivio Duran.
It's a sign Catholics have waiting days for.
"Over the lunch hour we have been anxiously awaiting to see some smoke come from the chimney of the Sistine chapel and then when we saw that it was white smoke, our hearts really started to beat," said St. Ann's Pastor Monsignor Larry Droll.
The Catholic conclave spent two days voting to determine the new pope. Wednesday, to the sight of the white smoke and bells ringing, the world found out Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina now Pope Francis the first will take the vacant position of Pope. St. Ann's members are excited.
"It's like the Holy Spirit came down on the whole church that we have a new pope and I think everyone is so excited about it and we needed someone to lead the church," said Duran.
The announcement of Pope Francis brings additional excitement. He is the first Latin American to hold the position.
"We're very pleased of course that he's from Latin America. That's a new thing and really signals the importance of the church and Latin America the Catholic Church there," said Msgr. Droll.
For centuries, the Catholic religion has been the prominent religion in European countries. West Texas Catholics said the move to elect an argentine Pope shows a more worldwide spreading of the religion.
Msgr. Droll said, "In the great scheme of things the pope is the leader of the old Catholic church throughout the whole world. More than a billion people and he takes a worldwide stage."


