'Proud to be part of this moment:' Green Country churches hold mass as conclave selects new pope

Several Green County churches are holding Mass this week in honor of the first night of conclave at the Vatican.

News On 6's Sam Carrico spoke to local pastors and has their reaction to the centuries-old tradition.

Trusting the process

They say it's an exciting time, not just for Catholics, but for everyone.

As all eyes are on the Vatican, churchgoers at St. Pius X in Tulsa are praying for whoever becomes the next pope.

"When it comes to the election, the Pope, it's all about letting go, surrendering to the Holy Spirit, praying, and then letting God say to us what the answer will be. We don't have any control. So, so all we can do right now is we pray and we trust, we trust in God," said Father John Grant.

History in the making

He remembers the last conclave that elected Pope Francis and is excited to be part of another vote.

"Even though this moment seems so important in the grand scheme of the history of the church, and the legacy of the church is just one moment. And so we are proud to be part of this moment and be part of this this this legacy, this tradition, this history that God is writing," he said.

Churches celebrating

Several Catholic churches across Oklahoma held masses Tuesday night specifically to pray for the conclave. Reverend Brian O'Brien at Holy Family says they plan to do another special mass when the new pope is selected.

"We're going to ring the bells, and all the kids will come down to our auditorium downstairs, and we'll all watch it together, just as it you know, that kind of the history moment as it happens. And then the next night, we'll have a special mass. We call it a massive Thanksgiving for the new pope, for his life, for his ministry, and then asking for God's blessings upon us as we go forward," he said.

The next four rounds of voting are on Thursday, and cardinals will vote until they've picked a pope.

The last two popes were elected on the second day of conclave, so there is a possibility there will be a new pope by the end of the day on Thursday.

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