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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Wednesday's announcement of the first South American Pontiff is giving local Catholics lots to be excited about.

Maureen Weigold was one of millions highly anticipating the announcement of a new pope. Weigold owns the Saint Francis Catholic Shop and says her customers shared the same feeling.

"Once we saw all of the white smoke, it was all exciting. We had a few customers in the store, and they just didn't want to leave," said Weigold.

Father Sandy Mcdonald said that although South American Catholics may be more familiar with the Argentine Pope, he's looking forward to the future.

"It's kind of the acquaintance period, if you will, and so I think we'll be watching to hear his first statements to see how he presides at liturgies and see what type of emerging agenda might come," said Mcdonald.