More local reaction to selection of Pope Francis

타 “I was in shock. I never thought it was going to be from Argentina. Everyone that I call, my father, all my family, everyone is very happy. ... He is more open minded. I think he is going to be a little different. I don’t know what he’s going to do but I think the church needs a lot of change.”

— Andrea Janos of Arlington Heights, who is Argentine.

타 “Taking the name of Francis, and it’s most likely from Francis of Assisi, is a clear reflection of his spirituality. ... When each pope comes in, we have high hopes. And each gives of his own gifts.”

— Rev. David Ryan, pastor of St. Francis de Sales in Lake Zurich

타 “I was pleased that he was not an integral part of the Curia, and I think his name might say something about that, as well. There are a bunch of unknowns but, all in all, I think it’s sort of exciting.”

— Kenneth Miles of Lisle, who attends St. Margaret Mary Parish in Naperville.

타 “He lives a very simple life in Buenos Aires. Even these first few minutes, he didn’t go by the normal prescribed ceremony. He asked people to pray for him. He prayed for his predecessor. He prayed the Our Father and Hail Mary. This was a new thing for the pope to ask people to pray with him. It was not traditional. Even the way he was dressed, he did not have the stole and cape. He just wore the simple white cassock. ... It seems as though he comes from a conservative background, but I think the fact that he has been a pastor in the church as Archbishop of Buenos Aires brings a great deal of hope for me. The three roles the Holy Father should have, one is administrator, one is bishop, and the third is pastor. I think this time in the church we need a pastor.”

— Monsignor Kenneth Velo, a priest and former secretary to the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.