Local Bishops of the dioceses of Wheeling-Charleston and Steubenville reacted to the election of Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio as the 266^th pontiff of the Catholic Church.

"This is one of the best surprises we could expect. Catholics should be very grateful to the Holy Spirit for this choice.  Pope Francis represents a selection that has the universal church in mind, not just regional preferences. He is the first Pope from either of the Americas. This couldn't have happened in the 20th century but it has in the 21st century. This historic choice shows that the Cardinals were as concerned about the world as they are the Vatican,” said Bishop Michael J. Bransfield.

Diocese of Steubenville Bishop Jeffrey Monforton released the following statement,” Today came the joyful news of the gift of the Holy Spirit in the person of Pope Francis. Since the announcement of the resignation of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, we have prayed incessantly for God’s guidance of the cardinal electors for the next successor of St. Peter. Pope Francis comes to us from Buenos Aires, Argentina, but now is the Vicar of Christ and for whom I am most delighted to serve as one of his bishops. The church in South America has blessed us with one of its sons to bear witness to a world that there is always hope. How appropriate the papal election occurs as we approach closer the end of Lent, the top of the Easter Mountain, in which all of God’s promises are fulfilled.”

The Vatican said an installation mass for Pope Francis will take place March 19.