FREDERICK COUNTY, MD - The evening mass at Mount St. Mary's University started with a prayer for the newly elected pope.
Eric Clark, Third Theologian at the Mount Seminary, says, "I was exuberant just to know that the church has been anticipating this to see that white smoke was a lot of joy."
In Vatican City the new pope from Argentina took on the name Francis.
"It was amazing," says Deacon Michael Isenberg, "I had studied there a few years ago and so I know how much energy could be in St. Peter's Square and it's just an amazing place to see people from all over the world gathered. So having that universal church there and you could just hear the energy coming over."
He's also the first pope to ask people to pray for him before giving them his blessing.
"A fairly unique thing for a pope to ask the people before he blesses them for him to pray for him so yes it was very touching," says Monsignor Steven Rohlfs, the Rector at Mount St. Mary's Seminary.
Monsignor Rohlfs says the cardinals chose a new pope sooner than he anticipated.
"He had I'm sure not the slightest context he would be elected pope," says Rohlfs. "I'm sure it came as a great shock to him he's still getting used to it. You could tell how he came out onto the balcony he really didn't know what to do."
Pope Francis speaks fluent Spanish, which will mean a great deal for Hispanics in the U.S. and also in South America where 40 percent of the world's Catholics are from.
"It will bring a great deal of energy to the church in South America and an immense pride to the church in South America," says Monsignor Rohlfs.
The previous Pope, Benedict, is still around to give advice, putting Pope Francis in a very unique position. For now, many say they're excited to learn more about their new pope.
Eric Clark, Third Theologian at the Mount Seminary, says, "I was exuberant just to know that the church has been anticipating this to see that white smoke was a lot of joy."
In Vatican City the new pope from Argentina took on the name Francis.
"It was amazing," says Deacon Michael Isenberg, "I had studied there a few years ago and so I know how much energy could be in St. Peter's Square and it's just an amazing place to see people from all over the world gathered. So having that universal church there and you could just hear the energy coming over."
He's also the first pope to ask people to pray for him before giving them his blessing.
"A fairly unique thing for a pope to ask the people before he blesses them for him to pray for him so yes it was very touching," says Monsignor Steven Rohlfs, the Rector at Mount St. Mary's Seminary.
Monsignor Rohlfs says the cardinals chose a new pope sooner than he anticipated.
"He had I'm sure not the slightest context he would be elected pope," says Rohlfs. "I'm sure it came as a great shock to him he's still getting used to it. You could tell how he came out onto the balcony he really didn't know what to do."
Pope Francis speaks fluent Spanish, which will mean a great deal for Hispanics in the U.S. and also in South America where 40 percent of the world's Catholics are from.
"It will bring a great deal of energy to the church in South America and an immense pride to the church in South America," says Monsignor Rohlfs.
The previous Pope, Benedict, is still around to give advice, putting Pope Francis in a very unique position. For now, many say they're excited to learn more about their new pope.
