I can’t help it, I love the rituals of the Church.  When a pope dies, I’m up before dawn to watch the funeral.  While in conclave, I can’t take my eyes off the news streams.  On a day as historic as today, I couldn’t not be there.  I had to be at the church when the bells rang out “Grazie!”

I was born into this faith which I follow as most Catholics have followed for the last several hundred years – not questioning the teachings as much as the application of the teachings.  But, when it comes to the power of church rituals – I leave my liberal politics at the door, I put aside all the parts of my faith that don’t square with my reality, with my ideas of who will and will not enter heaven.

For today I allowed myself to believe in a holy man dressed in white, relinquishing power and retreating into prayer.  I allowed myself to believe that last night’s glow from his palace window has infused my soul with hope.

Tomorrow our search begins for a new holy man dressed in white.