Miami (CBS4) – Hundreds of Argentinians learned that the Roman Catholic Church’s new pope was from their homeland on a flight to Miami.

With just a few hours to go before landing at Miami International Airport, the captain of Aerolineas Argentinas Flight 1304 told passengers and crew that Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, had been elected as the new pontiff Pope Francis.

“We were told about the news,” said passenger Fabiana Mandriola. “We never expected an Argentine to be the new pope.”

Passenger Guillermo Marcos Eduardo said many passengers let out a gasp.

“I didn’t have words to describe it. I was in the middle of the flight when they announced the pope was from Argentina. I was really proud of our country,” he said.

Passenger Daniel Hinono said he was surprised.

“I thought the next pope would be from Brazil. Still, Pope Francisco is a great person,” he said.

Passenger Marina Bomarito said this is great news for Catholics, and for her country. “Argentina needs this type of spiritual revival.”