Students at St. Patrick Catholic School in Tacoma watched with excitement as the first pope from the Americas was introduced today.

“It’s good to have a new pope,” said seventh-grader Sarah Krajewski, 13. “He’s like a messenger of God.”

Her history teacher, Nick Adams, explained Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is the first pope from the Americas.

“This is momentous,” Adams said. “This is really great. It shows the changing nature of the church.”

Students throughout the school in Tacoma’s North End watched the introduction of Pope Francis to the world.

Eighth-graders in teacher Blanca Norton’s English class cheered and shouted after they learned white smoke had risen from a chimney on the Sistine Chapel.

They watched an Internet broadcast projected onto a large screen.

“It’s pretty exciting to get a new pope,” said Casey Thompson, 14.

The selection of an Argentine was especially exciting for Norton, who is from Panama.

“I never thought I’d see a Latin pope,” said Norton, 39. “I was quite shocked when I was told he was an Argentinian. You are kind of rooting for a pope that comes from your area.”