By Donita Naylor
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Bishop Tobin was watching EWTN in his office, "just trying to get some biographical background on the Pope," when he sat down for a few minutes to relate how he learned that a new Pope had been chosen for the Roman Catholic Church.
He was visiting St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Woonsocket. The visit was over. Someone on the street told the pastor, Father Gerald Finnegan, "and he flagged us down."
In the time between the white smoke and Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina appearing on the balcony as Pope, Bishop Tobin returned to his office at One Cathedral Square in Providence. About 40 people who work in the diocese gathered there for the first glimpse.