Local Catholics praise choice of Francis as pope

Washington-area Catholics rejoiced at the election of a new pope Wednesday, eagerly sharing the little they knew about the Argentine Jesuit and expressing support for his leadership after the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.

Catholic University freshman Kaitlyn Feeley, 18, skipped class to watch on TV as the new pope, Jorge Bergoglio — who is the first to take the papal name Francis — greeted the crowds at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.