Catholics in Conn. react to new Pope

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Bells pealed across Connecticut as the Catholic Church elected a new leader, Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina, the first South American pontiff. He will go by Pope Francis.

"I think it speaks to the universal nature of the church, that we cannot be confined to any one nationality or any one country," said Archbishop Henry Mansell, Archdiocese of Hartford.

Archbiship Mansell says the church was looking for a manager for the Vatican as well as a spiritual leader and in Pope Francis they have found both.

"I think anybody who knows him with any kind of depth would know that he's a very spiritual man, not given through pomp and glory and high circumstance, but given through the needs of every day people," said Archbishop Mansell.

At the University of St. Joseph some of the students were following it online, watching it live, even talking about it in their classrooms, so News 8 asked students about what they expect from their new Pope.

"The thing is, is it was just so intense. I was waiting to see him come out and everything. I was just like can he come out any sooner but it's really exciting. It's really intense," said Nicole Battistone.

Students at the university were excited to find out the Pope was from some where other than Europe and are hoping he will inspire the Catholic youth.

"I really like that they're going out of their bounds and they're not just going with the norm. They're looking to see who else has different ideas to bring to the table," said Syedha Browne.

"I also think that it's talking about how there's modern issues so keeping that culture and keeping that tradition but also just incorporating the issues that we have today," said Victoria Rose Lasalandra.