Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina is the new Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Bergoglio has taken the name Pope Francis.
Many who follow the process closely were surprised by the selection. He was not among the group that many thought of as front runners. Bishop Robert Gruss who leads the Catholic Diocese of Rapid City says he is surprised but very pleased. He says it’s good the cardinals selected a representative from South America.
“The Catholic Church is strong in Latin America and I think by selecting a pope from Argentina Speaks of that in a very clear way. And, I believe this the new Pope will have the opportunity to unite the Catholic Church throughout the world. And, bring life to those areas of the world where the Church isn’t so strong.
Gruss says he’s also surprised the conclave made its selection so quickly. He says it’s a great joy to know there is leader of the Catholic Church again.
