Community Corner

Catholic Church Elects New Pope, Francis; Where Faithful Can Celebrate in Shelby-Utica

The white smoke appeared on Wednesday, signaling the conclave had chosen Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio to be the new head of the Catholic Church.

A new pope has been named to lead the Roman Catholic Church.

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, of Argentina, has been elected the 266th pope and is the first pope from Latin America.

For Shelby-Utica Patch reader Mary Adragna, the new pope's vision for the church is more important than his nationality. 

Find out what's happening in Shelby-Uticawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Not sure on the country," Adragna wrote on Patch's Facebook page. "Hopefully from the 21st century though!"

Bergoglio is the son of middle-class Italian immigrants and became the first Jesuit archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was appointed cardinal three years later, according to the Washington Post. The article stated that Bergoglio leans to the conservative side on doctrinal and spiritual issues and opposes abortion and supports celibacy among priests.

Find out what's happening in Shelby-Uticawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He will take the name of Pope Francis, according to the Huffington Post.

Despite not having a front runner, in one of the fastest conclaves in years, Bergoglio received the necessary minimum of two-thirds (77) of the 115 votes on the fifth ballot, reported the Detroit News. The article stated that The Archdiocese of Detroit plans a special service Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the election of the new Pope, with time and place to be announced.

In Shelby Township and Utica, faithful can celebrate with regularly scheduled masses Thursday at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, St. John Vianney Parish and St. Lawrence Catholic Church. 

  • St. Therese: 8:30 a.m. in Chapel at at 48115 Schoenherr
  • St. John Vianney: 7 p.m. at 54045 Schoenherr
  • St. Lawrence: 8 a.m. at 44633 Utica Rd.

What do you think of the decision? Tell us in the comments.


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