By Anna Corbett, Opinion Editor
The papal conclave is at the Vatican in Rome trying to elect a new pope to replace Pope Francis, who died on April 21.
Thousands of miles away in Wichita, members of the Newman University community are paying close attention.
“... A transition in papal leadership often brings about shifts in tone, focus, and vision for the church as a whole, which will eventually ripple through communities like ours,” said Newman’s chaplain, Father Ed Herzog.
On April 30, Newman held a memorial mass in St. Johns Chapel in honor of the pope, and all at Newman were invited to attend. During the mass, rosaries were offered for the repose of the pope’s soul.
“We should take this opportunity to pray that the new pope will be a faithful and courageous leader of the Church, and above all, a clear and joyful proclaimer of the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Herzog said after the mass.
The conclave, made up of 133 cardinal-electors, officially started its search for a new pope among cardinals under the age of 80 on Wednesday, 16 days after the death of Pope Francis. The first vote was cast early in the day, and black smoke that was emitted from a chimney connected to St. Peter’s Basilica indicated that no decision had been reached.
White smoke will float up from the chimney and bells will chime when the conclave comes to a two-thirds majority agreement.
Junior Eliana Gaytan is a member of Campus Ministry and a devout Catholic. She said she thinks it’s important for students to pray for the church during the process of finding a new pope.
“In this time of waiting and watching for the cardinals' decision on the new pope, prayers from the Newman community would be appreciated, especially praying that the Holy Spirit will guide the cardinals in electing a new shepherd who will meet the needs of our church in this age, while holding to perennial truth, goodness and beauty of Our Lord Jesus Christ,” she said.
PHOTO: Courtesy, Newman Today
