Local Catholics weigh-in on conclave

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Electing a new Pope may only happen a few times in anyone's lifetime. As FOX10 found out, many of you are looking for certain characteristics in a new Pope.

When you walk in to the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Mobile, the peaceful silence is deafening. The prayerful, reflecting on the election of the next Pope, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, are eager to learn who exactly it will be.

Tuesday, March 12, concluded the first of what could be several more days in the election process. With the sign of black smoke coming from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel in Rome, some began to wonder how long the process could really take.

Father J.S. Savoie of St. Pius X said for the 115 Cardinal electors, the process could last just a few days.

"Historically, it's gone as many as 50 days. The past 100 years, the past eight elections have never been more than five days; have never been less than two days. Most of them, right up between two and three days,” Savoie said.

While Cardinals are in conclave in Rome, some people here in Mobile are in mass. The thoughts of electing a new Pope are weighing on the hearts and minds of local Catholics.

Robert Armstrong said he wants the Cardinals to decide now.

“It’s a lot to do about a little bit. We are going to have a Pope for many years to come,” he said.

He also said communication is key when it comes to selecting a new Pope.

“I think the new Pope better be media and communication savvy and be able to reach out and touch to people like me who go to church,” Armstrong said.

For new Catholics like Randy Martin, peace within the church is important.

"I hope they can elect a Pope, elect a person that can bring the divisions of the church that are going on around the world back together,” Martin said.

Most prayer is the most important factor of all.

"You hope they have somebody who knows what the world's about...that has a level head that's close to God. That's what we've prayed for,” said Margie Ashley of Mobile.

Father Savoie says this process dates back to the 13 ^th century and 200 years within the Sistine Chapel. He says if the election process goes on more than three days, the cardinals will take a break for a day and then resume the next.