Springfield Bishop Thomas John Paprocki says he joins Catholics across Central Illinois in celebrating the selection of new Pope Francis the First.
Paprocki notes the historic nature of the selection, marking the first time that a Pope has been chosen from outside Europe.
Because Pope Francis comes from South America, Paprocki believes he will be especially inspirational to America’s growing number of Hispanic Catholics.
But Paprocki expects no change in the Church’s hardline stances on issues like same-sex marriage, contraception and abortion.
