Dozens of parishioners gathered at San Fernando Cathedral where church leaders spoke on the significance of selecting the next pontiff.
SAN ANTONIO — Catholics all over the world including San Antonio watched as black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, marking an end to the first day of the conclave with no pope chosen.
Dozens of parishioners gathered at San Fernando Cathedral in the Alamo City where opening remarks for mid-day mass addressed the significance of the conclave involving 133 cardinals tasked with selecting the next pontiff. A two-thirds majority is always required to elect the pope.
“It’s exciting. It’s very moving for me and I know for a lot of people,” said San Antonio-native Elizabeth Biggers, who expressed her admiration for the late Pope Francis due. “He really touched the hearts of so many, even non-Catholics.”
Biggers is hoping the next pope exudes similar humanitarian qualities while at the same time being a bit more traditional compared to Pope Francis.
“He’ll be his own individual. I hope and pray that our next pope can still touch the people and still bring back a little tradition,” Biggers said.
Robert Moore was among the many parishioners who took part in noon mass at San Fernando Cathedral.
He’s letting God guide the cardinals in deciding who becomes the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
“They have the saying that whoever goes into the conclave a pope becomes a cardinal,” Moore said. “I believe our new pope above all is a pastor to us, being a shepherd and caring for the flock is really what I think we need in that particular position. God’s time is a lot longer than our time so we would just hope the cardinals will take the time that they need to discern the will of the Holy Spirit.”
The past three popes have been elected in two or three days. White smoke billowing from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel will signify that a majority of the cardinals have agreed on who will take over as the next pope.