The College of Cardinals at the Vatican in Rome has chosen Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, of Argentina, as the Roman Catholic Church new pope.

White smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the traditional signal that the selection has been made, shortly after 2 p.m. today (a little after 7 p.m. in Rome).

According to his Vatican bio, Pope Francis was born Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires; he was ordained for the Jesuits Dec. 13, 1969.

Bergolgio served as President of the Bishops' Conference of Argentina from November 2005 until November 2011.

The name of the church’s new leader remained a mystery for about an hour until he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. St. John the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Leesburg and St. Theresa Catholic Church in Ashburn are two of Loudoun’s parishes awaiting the name.

Some Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch Facebook fans said they'd like to see the pope "respect women" while others expressed concerns about the new Pope's age.

Christine Del Pozzo Dobbs said she hopes for someone who will "stop shielding pedophiles" while Kim Brown said she was "very excited" to see a Pope chosen from outside of Europe.

Stephanie Parks Webb added she hopes "he will bring reform to the church."

Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques, a practicing Catholic, added he was "happy to see they went outside of Italy" to broaden the appeal.

Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch Twitter follower Michael Zauche had also positive words on the selection of the Pope.

"As a Catholic, I am simply excited about the future, and hopeful for political reform within the Vatican," he said. "I hope for a charismatic Pope who will be share the beautiful faith of our Church and also address the woes of secularism."

What are your thoughts or feelings on the new pope? What do you think of the choice? Speak out in the comments below and let us know what you think.