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Austin Bishop Praises New Pope

Dozens of people anxiously awaited the announcement of the new pope at the Diocese of Austin.

Minutes before the announcement, all eyes were glued to a projector screen inside the Diocese of Austin.

Once Pope Francis appeared at the balcony of the Basilica, those assembled began cheering. Jorge Mario Bergoglio is the first Latin-American pope and the 266th pontiff to lead the Catholic Church.

Soon after the announcement, Bishop Joe Vasquez of the Diocese of Austin talked to the media and what this means for the 536,000 Catholics in Central Texas and the world.

“I think the Holy Father brings a new and renewed sense of hope and I think that’s what the pope does. When the pope steps out of that balcony and stand before those thousands of people,  I think there’s a sense of excitement but there’s a sense of hope that what he brings to the church is really going to address the issues of the day,” said Bishop Vasquez.

Sister Maria Silva of the Dominican Sisters of Mary - Mother of the Eucharist is confident the new pope will help the church overcome the recent scandals.

“There are scandals everywhere and unfortunately it has hit the Catholic church as well and that saddens me.  But the church has persevered now for 2,000 years. I’d bet on the Catholics,” says Sister Mary.

There will be a mass Thursday at St. Mary’s Cathedral where Bishop Vasquez will pray for the new pope. The Mass begins at 12:05 p.m.

By Lydia Pantazes