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.
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:39:10 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.
"It's like a nightmare, it's the worst nightmare anyone can think of. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up.. This is horrible" said Royer.
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.
Tuesday, April 16 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-04-17 01:28:48 GMT
The shock of Monday's bombing at the Boston Marathon has turned to sadness and anger, but there is a new sense of community and patriotism among the people of Boston.
The shock of Monday's bombing at the Boston Marathon has turned to sadness and anger, but there is a new sense of community and patriotism among the people of Boston.
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:39:10 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.
"It's like a nightmare, it's the worst nightmare anyone can think of. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up.. This is horrible" said Royer.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:32 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:32:42 GMT
It was a gloomy Sunday as the whole area remain socked in with low clouds & fog, drizzle and scattered showers.
The weather remains unsettled through most of the work week. The difference is that it will really warm up -- temperatures soar into the 80s by Tuesday. That mild and humid air mass will fuel afternoon thunderstorms.
By Thursday a cold front moves by bringing more rain. It will also bring drier and cooler weather by Friday as we finally clear out.
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:27 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:27:52 GMT
Pounding winds and violent surf from Hurricane Sandy left their mark on Ocean City, NJ. Beaches were washed out and there's concern about debris washing up. But Mayor Jay Gillian says no need to worry.
Mayor of Ocean City says no need to worry about debris filled beaches after Hurricane Sandy. He says plans have been taking place to make sure they're safe and clean.
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:25:28 GMT
The Pennsylvania State Police are searching for 21-year-old Matthew Royer, who went missing after leaving his apartment at the University of Rhode Island. Police says Royer left his college apartment
The Pennsylvania State Police are searching for 21-year-old Matthew Royer, who went missing after leaving his apartment at the University of Rhode Island. Police says Royer left his college apartment
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:20 AM EDT2013-05-19 12:20:57 GMT
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-19 11:58:46 GMT
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:45 AM EDT2013-05-19 05:45:51 GMT
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery.
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery's website.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:25 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:25:40 GMT
Metro-North is urging commuters in Connecticut to make alternate plans starting on Monday. Train service on much of the New Haven line remains suspended after Friday's train derailment
Metro-North is urging commuters in Connecticut to make alternate plans starting on Monday. Train service on much of the New Haven line remains suspended after Friday's train derailment
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:21:50 GMT
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North Railroad released the following information on Sunday regarding service on the New Haven commuter rail line
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North Railroad released the following information on Sunday regarding service on the New Haven commuter rail line
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:35 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:35:12 GMT
A bicyclist was killed when he was struck by a livery cab in Brooklyn early Sunday morning. Police say the victim was riding eastbound on Eastern Parkway between Underhill and Washington Avenues
A bicyclist was killed when he was struck by a livery cab in Brooklyn early Sunday morning. Police say the victim was riding eastbound on Eastern Parkway between Underhill and Washington Avenues
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:05:54 GMT
Amtrak announced Sunday night that service remains suspended between New York and New Haven, with limited Amtrak service available between Boston and New Haven.
Amtrak announced Sunday night that service remains suspended between New York and New Haven, with limited Amtrak service available between Boston and New Haven.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:26:29 GMT
The NYPD are looking for the suspect who shot and killed a 14-year-old girl on a Queens MTA bus Saturday night. The incident happened around 8:50 p.m. on Sutphin and Rockaway Boulevard
The NYPD are looking for the suspect who shot and killed a 14-year-old girl on a Queens MTA bus Saturday night. The incident happened around 8:50 p.m. on Sutphin and Rockaway Boulevard
Sunday, May 19 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:42:18 GMT
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced a new legislation to reduce debt on federal loans. Gillibrand is proposing the "Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act"
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced a new legislation to reduce debt on federal loans. Gillibrand is proposing the "Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act"
Sunday, May 19 2013 4:05 PM EDT2013-05-19 20:05:22 GMT
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:14 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:14:07 GMT
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
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.
