WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Parishioners at St. Mary Catholic Church in downtown Wilmington will notice an addition to the church's entrance Wednesday.
A gold banner hangs above the doors to signify the selection of a new pope. Simone Payne said she's happy to hear Bishop Burgoglio is the first South American cardinal to lead the Catholic Church.
"It's going to bring back a lot of the Latin American peoples that maybe have drifted away from the church for one reason of another," she said. "It's just going to tie us all together again."
Payne said she sees the Pope Francis I having a positive effect on all faiths.
"I think he's going to do great things for all of us," said Payne.
Students followed Wednesday's excitement in their classrooms at St. Mary Catholic School. On their way home, Diane and Thomas said they would enjoy it even more if they were in the large crowd at St. Peter's Square.
"Even if I had to be in the background, I'd love to be there," she said. "And you'd need binoculars," added Thomas.
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