Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina is the new head of the Catholic Church. Now known as Pope Francis, he's the first pontiff ever from Latin America.
Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina is the new head of the Catholic Church. Now known as Pope Francis, he's the first pontiff ever from Latin America.
"Mommy!!! It's Bergoglio!!" screamed Maria Travajlio through her smartphone to her mother in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Tears of joy came streaming down Travajlio's face after hearing the news that a fellow countryman, Jorge Cardinal Bergoglio was elected pope.
"Historic you know, oh my God, an Argentinian pope!! That's huge for us," she said.
Travajlio moved to Philadelphia from Buenos Aires eight years ago to be with her husband. She soon got a job with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's office of Social Services.
She was among dozens of employees huddled in a conference room inside the Archdiocese headquarters in Center City, watching the papal developments on their smartphones.
"It was high time for a South American pope" she said.
Travajlio says Pope Francis, known to reject many of the trappings and privileges of being a Cardinal, will be a champion of the poor.
"Paying a lot of attention to the social part, the people's lives. Always asking the governments to pay more attention to poverty," she added.
After the new Pope was announced, local Catholics converged on the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul to pray. Some are wondering if the new pope's first trip to the United States will be in Philadelphia for the International Meeting of Families hosted by the Vatican in 2015.
"We sure hope so. Pope Benedict said he was coming for the year of the Family. We just hope this Pope keeps the same calendar," says Monsignor Arthur Rodgers, Rector at Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul.
The last time Philadelphia received a papal visit was back in 1979, when Pope John Paul held mass in front of a million people along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Monday, March 11 2013 11:38 AM EDT2013-03-11 15:38:14 GMT
The congregation of cardinals is scheduled to meet Monday to discuss preliminary work and church agendas as they draw closer to scheduling a date for selecting a new pope, FOX News reports.
The congregation of cardinals is scheduled to meet Monday to discuss preliminary work and church agendas as they draw closer to scheduling a date for selecting a new pope, FOX News reports.
Monday, March 11 2013 11:37 AM EDT2013-03-11 15:37:42 GMT
On the day that Pope Benedict XVI stepped down-- the first pope to resign his position in 600 years-- Catholics in Philadelphia thanked God for his service, and prayed for his successor.
On the day that Pope Benedict XVI stepped down-- the first pope to resign his position in 600 years-- Catholics in Philadelphia thanked God for his service, and prayed for his successor.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:25:38 GMT
A text message that says "I'm about to leave" is the last time Janet Royer had contact with her son Thursday night. "It's like a nightmare, it's the worst nightmare anyone can think of. I keep thinking
A text message that says "I'm about to leave" is the last time Janet Royer had contact with her son Thursday night.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 8:31 PM EDT2013-05-15 00:31:38 GMT
Kermit Gosnell will spend the rest of his life in prison. The 72-year old abortion provider has waived his right to appeal the first-degree murder charge issued by a jury just one day ago.Dr. Kermit Gosnell
Kermit Gosnell will spend the rest of his life in prison. The 72-year old abortion provider has waived his right to appeal the first-degree murder charge issued by a jury just one day ago.
Monday, May 13 2013 7:03 AM EDT2013-05-13 11:03:57 GMT
It was a heartbreaking Mother's Day for the mom of a shooting victim gunned down on South Street as she travels to Philadelphia to identify the body of her son.
It was a heartbreaking Mother's Day for the mom of a shooting victim gunned down on South Street as she travels to Philadelphia to identify the body of her son.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:27 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:27:11 GMT
The Boy Scouts of America throws open its ranks to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders - a compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors.
The Boy Scouts of America throws open its ranks to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders - a fiercely contested compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:10:26 GMT
"If I die please take me to Heaven not to Hell." After a near death experience 12-year-old Ibn Anderson showed us how he got down on one knee and prayed for his life. Bandages hide the bullet wounds from
"If I die please take me to Heaven not to Hell." After a near death experience 12-year-old Ibn Anderson showed us how he got down on one knee and prayed for his life. Bandages hide the bullet wounds from
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:43 GMT
If you think a high school sophomore and an 88 year old World War II veteran wouldn't have a lot in common. Think again. When Joseph Blaisse was looking for his final Eagle Scout project he thought of
If you think a high school sophomore and an 88 year old World War II veteran wouldn't have a lot in common. Think again.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:25 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:25:16 GMT
The Philadelphia Parking Authority gets caught on tape breaking the rules, or so it appears. The PPA responds to a video that has gone viral in Philly.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority gets caught on tape breaking the rules, or so it appears. The PPA responds to a video that has gone viral in Philly.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:49 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:49:28 GMT
Your Friday will feature steadier showers and thunderstorms early giving way to scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. We reach an early High of 64, followed by falling temperatures. Winds pick up out of the NW 10 to 15 mph. Right now the Memorial Day Weekend looks cool with highs in the low to mid 60s.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:03 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:03:32 GMT
Investigators allege that bars and restaurants in New Jersey disguised cheap booze, or worse, as the expensive stuff and made you pay the higher price.
Investigators allege that bars and restaurants in New Jersey disguised cheap booze, or worse, as the expensive stuff and made you pay the higher price.
Pope Francis waves to a crowd of thousands below at St. Peter's Square Wednesday.
Then Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio is seen praying in this file photo.
