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QUINCY, ILL. -- Catholics around the world celebrated the appointment of a new pope on Wednesday.

Pope Francis the First takes over as leader of the Catholic Church from former Pope Benedict who stepped down because of health concerns earlier this year.

KHQA spoke with Father Don Blaeser about the new pope Wednesday afternoon.

Father Blaeser said, in part, that he was encouraged that the new pope chose to name himself after St. Francis of Assisi, a man revered for his life of holiness.

"He called people to holiness. He called priests to holiness. And I think that in itself  is very symbolic that he took that name. That it says something about what he stands for. And I expect that people will see that coming from him in all kinds of ways," Father Blaeser said.

You can see the entire interview with Father Blaeser by clicking on the video player above.