A new pope has been named to lead the Roman Catholic Church.

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, of Argentina, has been elected the 266th pope and is the first pope from Latin America.

Bergoglio is the son of middle-class Italian immigrants and became the first Jesuit archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was appointed cardinal three years later, according to the Washington Post. The article stated that Bergoglio leans to the conservative side on doctrinal and spiritual issues and opposes abortion and supports celibacy among priests.

He will take the name of Pope Francis, according to the Huffington Post.

Locally, readers expressed concerns about the new pope's age, but said they feel he has what it takes to lead the Catholic church.

"Wonderful choice," Stephanie Socha of Plymouth wrote on Plymouth-Canton Patch's Facebook page. "Pope Francis is a very humble man with traditional values. I expect him to be a wonderful leader of the Catholic church."

Tina Pierzynski of Plymouth said she wishes a younger candidate had been chosen.

"I wish they had went with someone younger," Pierzynski wrote. "However, I am pleased that it is settled."

Bryan Bentley of Plymouth said the new pope appears to be one who will represent his base.

"Through his words, he sure seems to be a man of the people," Bentley wrote.

Despite not having a front runner, in one of the fastest conclaves in years, Bergoglio received the necessary minimum of two-thirds (77) of the 115 votes on the fifth ballot, reported the Detroit News. The article stated that The Archdiocese of Detroit plans a special service Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the election of the new Pope, with time and place to be announced.

What do you think of the decision? Tell us in the comments.