Catholics celebrate new pope with special Mass
By: Matt Leach
Updated: March 17, 2013
GREEN BAY, Wis (WFRV) Hundreds packed St. Francis Xavier Cathedral for a special Sunday Mass to celebrate the election of Pope Francis.
"We're joined to him, we're joined with all the Christians, all the Catholics throughout the world, all people of good will," says Bishop David Ricken.
Pope Francis is the first to be elected from Latin America.
"There's a large Hispanic population here in the Diocese of Green Bay and we're reaching out to them, and we have a lot more to do to welcome even more of them," says Ricken.
Many parishioners of St. Francis are excited about what they've seen from the Pope so far.
"I think this will be really good for the church, and I think it will invite more people in and let them think that it is a good place to be," says Raquel Rand.
"I think anytime you make a change in leadership you bring a new dynamic, you bring a new vision to what the church should be," says Howard Lodl.
But some say they don't think the church will change.
"I think they are going to continue, but they will become more sincere for many American Catholics," says Sarah Masarik.
The pope will have his inauguration mass on Tuesday.
