Arcadia Residents React to New Pope

Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, now known as Pope Francis, is the Catholic Church's first non-European Pontiff in more than 1,000 years. 

Arcadia residents seemed to approve of the conclave's choice of spiritual leader for the world's 1.8 billion Catholics. 

"I am Jewish and from what I have read, this man is a man of very high moral character," wrote Bruce Bender on the Facebook page, You Know You're From Old School Arcadia if..."Jewish leaders in Argentina have reported he is very respectful and wonderful to work with...I hope he can fix the church's problems and the hurt it has caused."

Lael Livengood Blocker wrote on the Arcadia Facebook page that she had a good feeling about Pope Francis.

"He does seem very humble and genuine. Love that he is an Italian from Argentina!"

Yvette K. Ingalls echoed Blocker's assent.

"It is nice to have someone from the Americas. It is also good to have a Jesuit in there. I hope my Catholic friends will be pleased and he will spread peace."

Meanwhile, Ingrid Bowles had more mixed feelings about the new Pontiff.

"I was hoping for a younger, progressive Pope to bring the church and its teachings into the 21st Century. I wanted a Pope to recognize the women of their faith as equals, to take responsibility for the horrific abuse heaped upon our children and the mess these sick pedophiles made of their lives," she wrote.
"On a positive note, he represents a large contingency. He is a tireless spokesman for the poor and the disabled. Time will tell!"