GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Catholic Diocese of Green Bay Bishop David Ricken is reacting to the selection of a new pope.

Once the white smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, churches around the Green Bay diocese welcomed the new pope with the ringing of church bells.

Wednesday afternoon, Bishop Ricken and others from the diocese applauded as the new pope emerged on the balcony in St. Peter’s Square. 

Afterwards, Ricken talked about Pope Francis I, saying he's not sure why the cardinals selected an older pope. But he added they possibly chose Pope Francis because he is from Latin America, which has one of the strongest numbers of Catholics throughout the world.

"So having someone from Latin America is very significant. Secondly he's a Jesuit named after a Jesuit missionary. So that may be another reason, as well that in this era of the new evangelization, we need to reach out once again, as did Francis, to take the gospel to places that haven't heard it, or to reintroduce it,” said Most Rev. David Ricken, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay.

Bishop Ricken will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for the new pope this Sunday at 9 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay. 

All are welcome to attend.