Hundreds of Downtown Angelenos Celebrate New Pope
It is a historical moment in Catholic history as hundreds of people at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels gathered Wednesday to pray for the newly elected Pope Francis I.
The mass, led by Archbishop Jose Gomez celebrated and welcomed the new pope.
Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis I has assumed the highest Catholic seat as pope.
The decision to elect Jorge Mario Bergoglio, named Pope Francis I, was decided by 115 cardinals in Vatican City.
The White Smoke that signaled their conclusion was seen today, and bells tolled across the world's Catholic churches, including the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.
"Having the first Latin American pope is inspiring,” Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles said.
“The election of Pope Francis is a call for all of us to strive for holiness and to work to make our countries and our continent a new world of faith."
Pope Francis I is the first non-European pope in Vatican history. Being fairly conservative, Pope Francis I is known to oppose both same sex marriage and the free distribution of contraceptives.
Parishioners of the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels say that he will do what is right for the Catholic Church.