Local bishop sounds off on new pope

GREATER LAFAYETTE AREA, Ind. (WLFI) - Lafayette Catholics still remain excited about the selection of the new Pope, and we sat down with Bishop Timothy Doherty, who explains the selection may have special meaning for a particular group in our area.

With the pomp and circumstance at the Vatican comes the buzz and excitement surrounding the news of newly elected Pope Francis.

Here at the Downtowner in Lafayette, it's the focus of discussion among cups of coffee and the morning paper.

"It was very interesting to watch the smoke come up and see who the man was going to be and all the excitement going on in Rome," Lafayette resident Sally Goodman said.

"I like what the Pope asked the people,” Lafayette resident Tom Colby said. “He asked the people to pray for him and I think that's a step in the right direction."

"The selection of Pope Francis is kind of a wonderful example of the global nature of the church,” Bishop Doherty said. “And the fact that its center of gravity, having moved to the southern hemisphere, is now being acknowledged."

Doherty believes the new Pope will bring interesting changes to the Catholic church.

"It means here's a guy who really knows what his role in the world is and has a great trust in God,” he said. “So I take that as a great sign. That's how I interpret humility."

Humility: a word used often over the past couple of days to describe the new head of the Holy See.

Here at home a particular group may find a deeper connection.

"I will say with the Latino communities here in town and in our dioceses, it will mean a lot to folks to see one of their own and somebody who speaks their mother tongue," he said.

And time will tell what that connection will mean for the role of the church in our area.