It may be a special day for Catholics around the world.
But it's also a special day for the Latino community and Catholic priests here in our area.
Here at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, priests from all over eastern South Dakota have gathered for the chrism mass.
Bishop Swain consecrated holy anointed oil which is used in sacraments.
So it was an exciting day here at the Sioux Falls Diocese and for Catholics in our area.
It was a special day forCcatholics around the world and in Sioux Falls.
Juan Bonilla, president of the Sioux Falls Diversity Council said "I'm super proud, and supper happy. I've been smiling all afternoon."
Bonilla believes Pope Francis is prepared to tackle issues facing the church.
"I think that the pope, the more important thing right now is to work with the issue that's happening in the Catholic church, like the abuse for kids and children. that's very important," Bonilla said.
Sioux Falls Bishop Paul J. Swain looks forward to what the new pope can teach him.
"He's now the leader who will lead us in a new evangelization which is a forward movement that pope john started, that pope benedict continued, but with a different twist I think," Bishop Swain said.
Bishop Swain prays for the pope during every mass. But for the last three weeks, he couldn't mention him by name. Tonight, he has a name, as he prays for the new pontiff, Pope Francis for the first time
"Ultimately, he's the unifier of the whole world, over 1.2 billion Catholics around the world. he's the center who unites us, I think he'll be a peacemaker in that sense too," Bishop Swain said.
Some think the large number of Latinos within the Catholic church was not lost on the Vatican.
"You have to represent the majority , like in different organizations and now in the Catholic church. Latinos, being the highest percentage of Catholics, what better to have a Catholic pope," Bonilla said.
When we spoke with Bishop Swain this afternoon, he told us the selection of a Latin American pope may give encouragement to many people who may have felt left out.
