BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Catholics in Vermont attended mass with the new pope on their minds and in their prayers.
The Burlington Diocese says there are about 120,000 Catholics in Vermont, about 20-percent of the state.
But that's far down and one of the challenges facing Pope Francis.
"I'm pretty excited that there is a new pope. We've been waiting for awhile now," says Alyson McCarthy, a parishioner.
The days without a pope were a little uncomfortable for Bishop Salvatore Matano from the Diocese of Burlington.
"I am very reassured that again we have our Holy Father guiding us," says Matano.
Salvatore says he doesn't personally know Pope Francis. But he says he's encouraged by the pope's past leadership of a diocese in Argentina.
"He relates in a very positive way to his people. They see him as one truly interested in their lives, truly concerned about the proclamation of the gospel among them," says Matano.
On the day of the papal announcement, Matano says he chose mass at UVM to highlight younger Catholics. Keeping these followers and bringing in new ones is a challenge for the Catholic Church.
"I think a pope that has energy is excited and stuff is pretty important to get young people involved. A good solid leader," says McCarthy.
The diocese says its representatives visited the Vatican late last year and at this point there are no plans for them to return any time soon. So for now they're just sending prayers to the new pope.
