So now that we know his name, what is it that Catholics are hoping for from their new leader? Our Christian Farrell has more on the local reaction to the selection of Pope Francis.

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MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. - "I hope he's a good communicator. It would be nice to have someone we could relate to," said Yvette Higgins of Middletown.

Outside of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Middletown, parishioners give their approval to the news coming from Vatican City. Jorge Mario Bergoglio is named the Catholic Church’s new pope, Pope Francis.

What's important to Catholics like Higgins is that the new leader of the church is a people person.

"We need someone who is receptive to hearing what people have to say and are open to all of us. We certainly have to have faith for our new holy father, and pray for him," said Higgins.

While the new pope has a history of being a strong advocate for the poor and a promoter of social justice, Father Dennis Nikolic says the new pope's message is likely to be similar to his predecessors.

"The message I think always remains the same. We are a church of hope. We look forward to Christ and the message he has taught us, the message of love and peace and understanding," said the St. Joseph's Church priest.

The former bishop of Buenos Aries faces numerous challenges as he takes over as spiritual leader of a congregation more than one billion strong. On his agenda, issues include child abuse scandals, a shortage of priests and the changing role of the pope in the Catholic church of the 21st century.

John Bruschi of New Hampton offers his wishes from the pontiff.

"What I really hope that he is, is a blending of Pope Benedict and Pope John Paul II. Pope Benedict was a scholar. And Pope John Paul, blessed Pope John Paul II was also, a great, I don't want to say worked the crowd, but he was good with people," said Bruschi.

"I think the entire church rejoices in the choice that was made," said Nikolic.