COLUMB US, Ohio – Ohio’s Roman Catholic community is sending up prayers for newly appointed Pope Francis.

Columbus Bishop Frederick Campbell asked the faithful yesterday to pray for their new leader to be blessed with wisdom and courage.

Meantime, local Catholics are hoping Pope Francis will modernize the church while promoting a life of simplicity and service.

“As supreme pastor of the universal church, we pray that his word and example will inspire and guide all of us,” Cleveland bishop Richard Lennon told the faithful.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected on the fifth ballot inside the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday and took the name Francis I.

The state’s Hispanic Catholics are rejoicing over the first Latin American pope, celebrating last night with special Masses of Thanksgiving.

The University of Dayton will hold a special Mass at noon today to honor their new leader and express students’ hopes for a more modern, global church.