Yellow-and-white bunting is hung from the doors of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenville after the election of Pope Francis. (March 13, 2013/FOX Carolina)GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) -
Moments after white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, Catholic churches in the Upstate hung yellow-and-white bunting and rang bells signaling the election of Pope Francis.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, of Argentina, was elected as the leader of the church after two days of voting during a conclave of cardinals in Rome.
It's tradition that Catholic churches around the world hang the bunting and ring their bells after the election of a new bishop of Rome.
Father Jay Scott Newman, of Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Greenville, said he was happy with the selection of Bergoglio.
"This is great news for the church," Newman said. "This is good news for the world."
Newman said Pope Francis will begin anew the task of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is timeless.
Pope Francis will conduct his first televised mass at noon Thursday.
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