Selecting a Pope; Conclave Set to Begin

Catholics around the world will be looking to the Vatican this week as the conclave gets underway to select a new Pope.

For the first time in six hundred years a Pope has resigned. One-point-two billion Catholics around the world will be watching and waiting as the historic vote takes place.

At Sunday mass at Rochester's Sacred Heart Cathedral, many wondered who may be the next Pontiff. "I'd like to see an evolution, rather than a revolution. We have to soothe people, we have humans. They have human feelings. And we just have to, not soothe them, but transition. If you're going to make change, transition slowly, so that you don't have quantum leap all at once," said Bob Stevenson of Rochester.

The conclave, scheduled to begin Tuesday, will have many watching the Vatican closely, waiting to see who cardinals choose to replace Pope Benedict XIV.

"I think it's very exciting. I think that it's time for someone new. Someone to be a little more open to our ideas of, ya know, all inclusive," said Kathleen Parr of Rochester.

Inside the Sistine Chapel, 115 cardinals will vote on paper ballots for the next Pope. If a cardinal receives two-thirds of the vote, he becomes the new leader. It's a traditional process that could bring about change for the worldwide Catholic church.

"I believe that the inner core of the Catholic beliefs, they're known for a lot of great attributes and deeds to the community, and to people as well, so. I think change is needed. But not so much to a negative way," said Andre Stokes.

We'll know when there's a new Pope, simply by watching for smoke coming from the Vatican's rooftop. If it's white, Catholics have a new Holy Father.