SPEAK OUT: Reston Reacts to New Pope Francis

ArgentineCardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was presented to the world as Pope Francis Wednesday at the conclave in Rome.

Bergoglio, 76, is a Jesuit from Buenos Aires and is the first pope from South America.

He is also the first Pope to name himself after St. Francis of Assisi.

The Pope said this in Latin when he was presented to the cheering crowd:

"As you know, the duty of the conclave was to appoint a bishop of Rome. It seems to me that my brother cardinals have chosen one who is from far away, but here I am. I would like to thank you for your embrace, also to ... the bishops, thank you very much.

"First and foremost, I would like to pray for our emeritus pope, Benedict XVI. Let us pray all of us together … so that he's blessed by the lord and guarded."

Pope Francis then said the Lord's Prayer, said CNN.

Read more about the Pope installation process in this story from the Huffington Post.

The Reston Patch Facebook feed quickly heard from several residents about the choice: 

• Jennifer Ocampo de Huerta awesome, about time.....and he seems to have a great sense of humor. I just hope he does not turn the cheek on those the child abuse rampant in the church, him or any other future Pope. It has to be addressed. 
• Pam Allen Think that Pope Francis the 266th Pope is a good choice and his background speaks for itself and the future of the Roman Catholic Church is in excellent hands -- God bless our new Pope and all of the Roman Catholics in the entire world.
• Pam Lackland Very cool that he's from the Americas and 40% of the world's Catholics are Latin American so it's very appropriate to have them represented.

Click here to read more reaction and add your own.

SPEAK OUT: What do you think of the new Pope? Is this is new era for the Catholic Church? Tell us in the comments.