2 local priests in training pleased with pope selection

More than a billion Catholics worldwide are celebrating and praying for their new pope.

This is a historic moment for more than a million Catholics in Michigan that are looking for a strong leader to steer the church through its troubled times.  We've heard about the priest shortage, the sex abuse crisis, and, of course, they've dealt with the competition from other evangelical churches.

Pope Francis is from Argentina.  He is a Jesuit and the first Latin American and non-European pope to be elected in more than a thousand years, but one with very traditional values.

The 76-year-old is seen as an unwavering orthodox.  He opposes contraception, abortion and same-sex marriage.

We spoke to two young men that are studying to be priests.  They are very pleased with the selection.

"It's the first time I remember it.  I'm 19, so I was alive when Benedict was elected, but I don't really remember much of it.  So it was really just a neat experience to see and everything," said one.

"[There have] been no things that would be theologically problematic in the things he's said.  He's a solid guy.  He's going to stand for eternal truths, which I think is something that the church needs right now," another said.