Parishioners gathered together Monday to pray for the next chosen leader of their faith. There's no telling who that person will be, but many seem to agree on the direction the church should go.
Catholic parishioners are counting on the power of prayer. Hoping their own strength and support will reach the College of Cardinals, as a new Pope is selected.
Leticia Ball said, "It's very important, very important for our community... for our church."
Amos Macias added, "Hopefully the Holy Spirit will go across the ocean to Italy and Rome and help them decide and make the best decision."
Monday a special mass was held inside Saint John's Cathedral.
Bishop Armando Ochoa called on the church and it's people for support. "That's really what this is all about, it's not a campaign but we're really under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help them make the right decision for the church and the modern world."
No one knows who the next Holy Father will be.
"I love that saying he who enters the conclave as Pope comes out as Cardinal."
Parishioners would like to see someone younger. A man who can carry the church through generations.
"Okay, I'm hoping for a young Pope that can guide our children, my children."
Daniel Crocker noted, "More people would probably become Catholic if we had a younger Pope and an American one."
"There's a spirit that maybe the next Holy Father's gonna bring that is gonna be important to get out there no matter his age is gonna be and get out there and bring up our church again."
A strong spirit needed to lead and guide millions of followers. Is now in the hands of the Holy Spirit.
"Whoever God chooses and whoever comes out as Pope, he's uh the father of our church, I believe that."
There's also no telling how long the voting process could take, but it is expected to be a fairly quick election. A conclave hasn't gone more than four days in nearly 200 years.
Any baptized Roman Catholic male can become Pope, but since the 1300s, it's always been a Cardinal who has been selected. There is more on this story online, including content exclusive to the web at KSEE24.com.
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