Catholic Memorial students react to non-European pope selection

WAUKESHA (WITI) -- The anticipation of a new pope being selected was palpable inside Waukesha's Catholic Memorial High School on Wednesday, March 13th. On Wednesday afternoon, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires was selected as pope -- adopting the name Francis.

Catholic Memorial High School President, Reverend Paul Hartman said students are particularly proud of their connection to Wednesday morning's continuing conclave.

"We're probably the only high school in the world that has this level of connection to two Cardinals," Hartman said.

Both Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Cardinal James Harvey -- both of whom are in Rome, have family members who have attended Catholic Memorial. These are links that give many of the students a strong sense of connection to the conclave.

"I think it's interesting because it really puts it more into perspective. Instead of it being in a far-off place, like in Rome, it kind of brings it home, and it really feels like we're all united in this one thing," one student said.

Following the selection of Pope Francis, these students are eager to experience the Catholic church's new leadership.

"It's really exciting. I mean, it's great that we're getting someone a little different this time around. We were all kind of expecting a European, but it's a lot of fun that it's gonna be a new type of pope -- a new area, new perspective," one student said.

"I think more people will be, like, accepting of it, because it's not American, or European. It's a Latin-American," another student said.