In a statement today, Mount Mercy President Christopher Blake, Ph.D., welcomed the election of Pope Francis as the new leader of the Catholic church. Pope Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and is a native of Argentina.

"Mount Mercy University is pleased to welcome the election of the new pope, wishing the prayers of the Mount Mercy University community on his papacy and the hopes that his leadership of the church will strengthen the church, the lives and hopes of Catholics, and all people of God throughout the world," Blake said.