Archbishop expects 'great rejoicing'

BALTIMORE - “Great rejoicing.”

It’s what Archbishop William E. Lori says he thinks of when he reflects on the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aries as the new pope.

“I should imagine over at Loyola, there is great rejoicing today,” Lori said.

Lori took time Wednesday to speak to members of the media about the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s thoughts on the selection. He wasted no time saying that he looks forward to working with the new pope, taking the name of Pope Francis.

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“I look forward to collaborating mass and communion with our new holy father and with Catholics throughout the archdiocese,” he said.

Archbishop Lori said Pope Francis, known for simplicity and humility as a member of the Jesuit order, will definitely bring positive change to the church. As far as specifics, he said it’s too early to tell much.

“I think we will see him urging the church in the direction of new evangelization,” Lori said.

Lori said a strong focus on poverty is also safe to expect.

As far as Pope Francis being the first pope from the Americas, Lori said, “I can only imagine the heart and joy of Hispanic Catholics in the archdiocese and elsewhere in the Americas.”