Argentine Native in Minn. Excited by Pope Choice

A Minnesota woman says she feels like she won the lottery when a fellow Argentinian was named the new pope.
    
Celina Martina, a native of Argentina, has lived in St. Paul for the last 15 years. She tells the St. Paul Pioneer Press she could see the newly elected Pope Francis "being the priest of my church."
    
Martina says the new pope, who was Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, knows the customs and traditions that she had growing up.
    
She says the selection of a pope from Latin America has strengthened her connection to the Catholic Church, even though she does not agree with some teachings such as its opposition to gay marriage.
    
Martina says "Any Spanish-speaking, Latin American is feeling overwhelmed and happy today."

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
 

Tweet

Related Stories:

• Pope Washes Feet of Young Detainees in Ritual
• Delicate Diplomacy: Pope Meets Argentine President
• Vatican Defends Pope Against What it Calls Anti-Clerical Campaign
• VIDEO: St. Thomas Students Celebrate Pope Francis
• New Style of Papacy: Pope Francis Pays Hotel Bill
• Minnesotans Pray for Pope Francis at Basilica of Saint Mary
• Vatican: Francis Won't Visit Benedict Thursday
• INTERVIEW: UST Student in St. Peter Square for Pope Announcement
• Local Reaction to the Election of Pope Francis
• WEB EXTRA: UST Expert Discusses Pope Francis