Election of new pope being celebrated in WMass

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The selection of Pope Francis I is a moment that the world has been waiting for since the resignation of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina is the first pope ever to come from the Americas, and the first non-European pope in modern times.

Catholics around the world found out that the voting had finished at 2:06 Eastern Daylight Time, when white smoke was seen coming from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Thousands of people braved the chilly rain at Vatican City Wednesday to watch the roof and wait for the smoke signals.

The event is a historic moment worldwide, even for non-Catholics, and the fact that it comes following a voluntary papal resignation is historic as well.

“I think the pope (Benedict XVI) just feels like he's too old to do the job, and before some disaster happens, he wants to pass it on to someone who can do the job,” James Arcoleo of Conway said.

Locally, a 7:00 Mass at St. Mary's Church in Westfield Wednesday night will be in celebration of the new Pope.