The new pope will likely be a defining leader for their generation.
Bethlehem Catholic High School students are truly taken with their new bus-riding, Twitter-using, friend-of-the poor pope.
Excitement was high at the school upon the selection of Argentinean Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the new pope.
Play practice of the spring musical came to a halt last week as the entire cast and crew crowded into the tech booth to watch Pope Francis’ first remarks.
“We were all like little kids on Christmas,” said Abigail Moninghoff, an 18-year-old senior from Bethlehem.
Their excitement continued as they learned about Bergoglio’s reputation as a man who shunned limo rides in favor of public transit and strongly advocated on behalf of the poor. It’s a reputation they hope will help grow their religion.
“I think people will be impressed with his lifestyle and it will get people involved with the church,” said Nina Kopy, a 17-year-old senior from Lower Saucon Township.
For young Catholics, Pope Francis will likely be a defining leader for their generation. The Bethlehem Catholic students were just in elementary school when Pope Benedict XVI was named, but Pope Francis may still be pope when they marry and have children.
Pope Francis’ appointment was significant for even younger Catholics at Sts. Philip & James School, a K-8 school in Phillipsburg. The new pope is embedded into the school's morning prayers, and the school held a special prayer service honoring him Friday.
Vice Principal Donna Kucinski said she hopes her students will build off their interest in the new pope and “look to him for leadership.”
Eighth-grade student Daniel Krochta, of Phillipsburg, reveled in the church leader’s papal name, Francis, because it’s his confirmation name. He said his top wish is that he’ll make a stop or two nearby.
“I would like him to visit America,” he said.
The Bethlehem Catholic students said they think Pope Francis’ visibility will be important. Kopy said she thought it is fitting the pope hails from South America considering the continent has the highest concentration of Catholics.
Freshman Sean Ryder said it's significant Bergoglio has an active Twitter account, a practice he hopes he continues as pope.
“I think it’s a good way to reach out to our generation,” said Ryder, 15, of Hellertown. “There’s a lot of splits between Catholics on various topics and I hope he can unify us as one.”
Despite some steps toward modernity, Bergoglio has a reputation of being conservative on social issues, including opposing female priests and gay marriage. The Bethlehem Catholic students said they largely side with him on those issues, considering the Catholic Church’s strong traditions.
“Our religion is made up of tradition and Scripture. That’s what it’s been traditionally,” Ryder said.
The students were hopeful, however, that Pope Francis would at least be open to discussing the church’s positions on social issues.
“A lot of people in my class were looking for someone willing to talk about the controversies and not avoiding them,” said Nicole Overby, a 16-year-old junior from Nazareth.
Reporter Andrew George contributed to this report.