Manu Ginobili excited that new Pope will elevate Argentina on the map

Manu Ginobili is excited and proud that the new Pope hails from his home country. (Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Spurs guard and Argentina-native, Manu Ginobili, was surprised and proud that the new Pope hails from his home country, according to Spurs Nation:

"It is incredible," Ginobili said after Thursday morning’s shootaround. "We were watching and when we heard the name I said, ‘What? Did we hear it right?’

“We were all in shock. The country is going crazy."

Ginobili is from Bahia Blanca, Argentina and is a member of the country's national team. He remembered a day early in his Spurs career when he showed his teammates where Argentina was on a map, and believes Pope Francis will help increase the country's visibility.

"An Argentinean being in charge of a billion people is not something that happens often," Ginobili said. "Catholicism is the main religion in my country and, of course, it is a big thing."