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Archbishop Gomez Discusses Selection Of Pope Francis

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Pope Francis established many firsts Wednesday -- first Pope named Francis, first Jesuit, first from Latin America.

CBS2's Dave Lopez talked to Archbishop Jose Gomez for his reaction to Argentinian-born Jose Bergoglio becoming the new Pope.

Gomez, who was born in Mexico, was asked how significant the selection of Bergoglio is to the church.

"He is the first pope from the New World. What is it? More than 500 years? It's about time, no?," said Gomez.

Bells rang out downtown at the entrance of the cathedral when it was announced a new pope had been selected.

The Archbishop met with new pope, briefly, about a year ago at at special meeting.

Gomez plans to be in Rome next month. He says he will discuss the church's on-going sex abuse scandal with the new pontiff.

"I think you understand the challenges we are going through. At the same time we all have to understand that the church has made extraordinary efforts to make sure these things never happen again."

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