The Archdiocese of Singapore "rejoiced" at the election of Pope Francis on Thursday morning.

A statement from Archbishop Nicholas Chia's office said that it "rejoices and gives thanks to God that we have a new Pope."

"Pope Francis enjoys the confidence of the College of Electors and is clearly providential in this time of the Church's history. We pray for God's continued blessing on Pope Francis with good health, wisdom and strength to lead the Church of Christ," it read.

Singapore’s Catholics waking up to a new leader on Thursday morning, reacted similarly with joy and renewed hope.

“After all that uncertainty following Pope Benedict’s stepping down, it is definitely good news to know we have a new, younger Pope who will take over the reins and hopefully lead us through whatever difficulties the Church is facing,” said retiree Paul Lam, 65, who was woken up by a flurry of SMSes from his church group informing him of the news.

“I am glad that he was chosen quickly – it shows that he has the support of the Cardinals and they feel that he is the right person to lead the Church out of these dark times,” said Lam, referring to corruption accusations and sex scandal allegations which have plagued the Vatican in recent years.

“Just in time for Easter, so of course I’m happy, it will be a double celebration,” said housewife Mary Yeo, 46.

76-year-old Argentinian Pope Francis is a Pope of many firsts – the 266th pontiff is the first Pope in 1,300 years to be born outside of Europe, the first Jesuit Pope, and the first South American Pope.

Now leader to 1.2 billion Catholics, Pope Francis has been praised by many as a modernizer of the strict South American church and a defender of single mothers and divorcees.

The Vatican has said that he picked the name Francis to evoke simplicity and humility after St Francis of Assisi. In his time serving as a Cardinal, Pope Francis has openly eschewed the luxuries of high office, even insisting on taking the bus to get around.

“Although I do not know much about him, I feel comforted by the fact that we have a new Pope – recent negative news about senior Church officials have really shaken the stability of the Church and someone needs to make a stand,” said teacher Christina Rodriguez, 39.

“We all hope to hear from him soon on his stance on many modern-day issues which Catholics are dealing with – homosexuality, birth control and so on.”

Younger Catholics were generally more muted about the news.

“Yes, I’ve heard about it on the radio, but I’m not sure how it will affect me or my faith personally,” said undergraduate Jonathan Liew, 23.

“It seems a bit remote, you know, a bit far away. But I think it will affect us in the long run and I’m waiting to see how our new Pope wants to turn the Church around.”

Accountant Chen Shirley, 26 said that she was impressed by the Pope’s choice of name and his humility.

“I really liked that he started his first speech as Pope on a light-hearted note. That’s what we all need now – a Pope with a human touch," said Chen, referring to Pope Francis' opening line about how Rome's Cardinals had gathered to 'give Rome a bishop' but had eventually gone to the ends of the earth to get one.

Watch Pope Francis give his first speech here

Additional reporting by Justin Ong


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Photos: First appearance of the new Pope Francis