Southwest Florida positive about new pope

By Kelli Stegeman

CREATED Mar. 13, 2013

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SOUTH FORT MYERS, Fla. - Our Lady of Light Catholic Church parishioners are packed with positivity over the first Latin American Pope.

 
This church will hold a mass Thursday morning to welcome in Pope Francis.
 
"I think it's progress, I really do," said church member Ginger Petruzzelli. 
"I'm glad to hear that they expanded their horizons."
 
Part of Petruzzelli's family is from South America. That is giving her a greater appreciation for this Argentenian Pope.
 
"It gives us hope in the America's that maybe it's a more liberal pope that's going to be more ecumenical with other religions."
 
Father Hugh McGuigan also sees Francis' hispanic background as promising.
 
"It speaks to our brothers and sisters in the third world of his ability of Spanish speaking," he said. "Hopefully with the new Holy Father as the Pope, and with us dealing in the state the issues of immigration, we recognize and we reach out to those countries."
 
Father McGuigan says the Pope's chosen name brings meaning to his work.
 
"I think the name Francis I speaks to the poor and the marginalized if we look at the life of Francis of Assissi."
 
McGuigan hopes Pope Francis will be able to attract people back to the church, address alleged issues at the Vatican, and iron out the sexual abuse scandal.
 
"What do you want to see from your next pope?" reporter Kelli Stegeman asked Petruzzelli. 
 
"I would like to see women in a more active role," she replied. 
 
All will be revealed in time, but for now it's just wish lists and waiting.
 
"We just carry on," Father McGuigan said.