Latinos 'excited' for Argentinian pope

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Latinos in the neighborhoods around Grand Rapids told 24 Hour News 8 they were hoping for a Spanish-speaking pope, but not expecting one.

Then, just after 3 p.m. ET, the world learned that Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio had become Pope Francis.

"It's kind of a surprise that he's from Argentina," said Felix Ramos, a parishioner at St Joseph's The Worker Catholic Church in Wyoming, after 24 Hour News 8 told him of the selection. "I like it. It's nice. It could be a change. Something different."

Other local Latino Catholics were glued to their TV's. Jonathan Tovar watched with his entire family.

"We were honestly hoping for a Latin American pope. And they were excited that he was from Argentina because he's someone closer to not only Latin America, but here in America," said Tovar.

He said that's important for a new pope.

"With all this stuff that's happening with the Catholic church, that's probably there are a lot of people losing faith in it. I know that's a

big thing in America right now and the fact that there is a big chance that he could come here is reassuring. It helps out with the Catholic faith," Tovar said.

Many people in his neighborhood attend St. Francis Xavier Church on Brown SE in Grand Rapids.

"We know that this new pope, that his mother tongue is Spanish. It was a moment of great joy," said Father Jose Quintana, the priest at St. Francis Xavier. 

He thinks Pope Francis I will be good for the Catholic Church -- and not just because he speaks Spanish.

"He's a very humble person. When he appeared was very simple and I was very moved when he was asking the people to pray for him first before he gave his blessings," Quintana.