Pope Francis Elected: Catholics in Arlington React

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina has been selected as the new Pope.

The white smoke above the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday caused Arlington's Marymount University to shout hallelujah.

“The Marymount University community offers joyful prayers for His Holiness Pope Francis I," the Catholic university stated in a tweet this afternoon.

Catholics outnumber the adherents of any other religion in Arlington.

In 2010, the county counted 30,311 adherents to the Catholic Church — a 13 percent increase over the past decade, according to the Association of Religion Data Archives.

The Most Rev. Paul S. Loverde, Bishop of Arlington, noted the new Pope's Latin American heritage in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

"I have become increasingly aware how the Lord has provided for the Church the shepherd best suited to the particular needs and challenges of the time," Loverde said. "I know that this is the case once more."

Click here to read his full statement.

The Arlington Diocese oversees 68 parishes in 21 counties.

What do you think of the conclave’s selection? Tell us in the comments!