Triad Catholics Want A Pope Who Will Lead Them into the 21st Century

The congregation of Holy Family Catholic Church in Clemmons is actively praying for the new pope to be sensitive to the needs of followers. Many also want him to have a progressive view regarding various social issues.

Wednesday afternoon, white smoke curled from a chimney on the Sistine Chapel signaling the selection of a new pope.  He's Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Buenos Aries, Argentina. Now he's chosen the name Francis.   A few hours earlier in the United States--catholics were praying the College of Cardinals would be led by the Holy Spirit as they selected a new leader. 

Meanwhile, at Holy Family Catholic Church on Kinnamon Road, members of the Young At Heart group gathered for their monthly luncheon. Everyone is 55 and older. Most, like Josephine Biasetti, said the Catholic Church needs a pope who can lead followers into the 21st century. “The pope is not God,” explained Biasetti. She wants the church to allow priests to be married. “I mean he has to lead us and direct us but he has to understand today's world.” Another long time member, who is also concerned about the future of the Catholic Church, said she didn't want to be identified. But she hopes the new pope will do more to help the church progress in terms of fiscal management and recognizing the value of women. “We're losing priests all over the place and I think it's time we allow women to become priests. The bible says we are a priestly people.” 

Holy Family Catholic Church was founded in 1984. It's in the Charlotte Diocese. Current records show 2,081 families attend. One of those families is the Facciolo's. Mike Facciolo remembers his family joining 32 years ago when services were held in an area funeral home before the church was built.  He said he wants the pope to help the Catholic Church go back to its traditional roots while also showing more concern for ordinary people. “Be a pope for the people and listen to the people. I know the church is struggling in America right now. Listen to what we have to say," explained Facciolo. Vicki Meyers is office manager at Holy Family and her two children are in their 20's. Her greatest concern is the growing trend of young people leaving the church. “The children of today, they don't believe just because Mom tells them to. They need to feel it for themselves. God is love and he's so much bigger than any of us. And if our kids see that, that's what keeps them here (in the church). I want a pope who will connect with them on their journey and that will keep them in the church,” said Meyers.  Member Betty Seckinger  hopes the new pope will initiate change. “I loved Pope John 23 because he brought wonderful reformation into the church and then we lost it with our Polish pope. I've gone to other churches but I always come back to the (Catholic) church.”

Pope Francis I is creating history in the Roman Catholic Church. He is the first Jesuit and the first from Latin America. Now he'll lead about 1.2 billion Catholics around the world. During his first public remarks, Pope Francis I encouraged thousands in St. Peter's Square to pray for each other as they embark on a new journey. "Let us now begin this voyage, bishop and people, people and bishop. Pray for each other for a new brotherhood." This sentiment echoes what many at Holy Family say they want to happen between the Catholic Church and other denominations, a global brotherhood based on God's love.