Bishop Gregory HartmayerSAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) -
Bishop Gregory Hartmayer and other members of the Diocese of Savannah anxiously awaited the announcement of the newest leader of the Catholic Church.
The Bishop and members of the clergy came together at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Savannah on Wednesday afternoon to watch history unfold.
The Bishop told WTOC he found it very interesting that newly elected Jorge Mario Bergoglio, better known as Pope Francis, first asked the people for their blessing. Bishop Hartmayer also said he appreciated the fact that Pope Francis led the congregation in simple prayers, such as the "Our Father" and "Hail Mary." These prayers, Bishop Hartmayer explained, are known by all Catholics no matter their age. Hartmayer said this proves Pope Francis is committed to unity.
"To show a unity already, and not any kind of haughtiness or intellectualism or any kind of indication that he was above others in his new position. Not at all. I think more than anything his humility came across."
A mass for the new pope will be celebrated at 12 p.m. Thursday at St. John the Baptist Cathedral.
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