New Pope elected with local Catholic leadership discussing the role of the new pontiff

A new Pope of the Roman Catholic Church has been selected with 76-year old Pope Francis I stepping out to a crowd of millions at Vatican City this afternoon.

Pope Francis I is the first Pope from the Americas and was formerly known as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Buenes Aires, Argentina.

Pope Francis I is the 266th pontiff and replaces Pope Benedict XVI, whose surprise resignation last month shocked many religious leaders and followers across the globe.

Father Richard Meredith with Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Hopkinsville spoke about the responsibilities of a Pope.



Father Meredith also spoke about the secretive conclave where cardinals from around the world have gathered in order to select a new pope, which is a life appointment.



The next pontiff will be the leader of the world’s nearly 2 billion Catholics.                                                                                **
(03/13/2013/MF)