Spring Hill College Father Viscardi excited about new Pope

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - A gold and white bunting hangs over the door of St. Joseph's Chapel at Spring Hill College. It symbolizes a new pope. A pope that is significant to the Jesuit school.

Jesuit Father Chris Viscardi said he was excited to hear the new was a Jesuit.

"I was walking the hall from a class to a meeting and somebody said, 'We have a Jesuit Pope.’ And I said, ‘You're kidding,’” Viscardi said.  

Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina is the first Jesuit Pope. Father Viscardi said this is a sign the Cardinals embracing the orders Vision.

"The Jesuit order throughout the world has become a very conscious and committed to the connection between faith and the Modern World, the promotion of justice, conscious and aware of the need that the world be committed to the needs especially of the poor and to bring faith into action," said Viscardi.

Father Viscardi said Bergoglio, who has taken the name of Francis, has lived this Jesuit vision.

He looks said he forward to a papacy of simplicity focused on interaction and mission to the world.

Viscardi said while he was an archbishop, Bergoglio took the Metro everywhere he went. He said the 76 year-old-man is in touch with the modern world.