Bishop Vasquez wants community to unite

AUSTIN (KXAN) - As thousands of people watched the new pope being revealed in Rome, a group gathered at the Diocese of Austin to watch the historic announcement as well.

"All of a sudden a lot of cell phones went off, then someone popped their head in and said - we have a pope!" said Kimberly Speirs.

Austin's Bishop Joe Vasquez and local parishioners were excited about the decision. Vasquez asked the community of Catholics in Central Texas to join him as the Church welcomes its new leader.

"As the bishop of the Diocese of Austin, we are grateful to God for giving us Pope Francis," said Bishop Vasquez. . "I think it's really powerful. Just the simplicity and the humility of the man comes across immediately."

Bishop Vasquez said the selection of a Latin-American -- someone other than a European -- reflects the direction of the Catholic Church.

While it points to growth, he says the mission of the Church never changes.

"People kind of look at the Church as a business, and they say, 'Shouldn't you be updating, shouldn't you be changing, shouldn't you be accommodating?' And, the Church isn't about that. That's not what we're about. We're about proclaiming Jesus Christ," said Vasquez.