LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A Los Angeles church announced Friday that it will hold a special prayer vigil on the eve of the papal conclave in Rome.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on West Temple Street says it will remain open all night Monday.
In a statement released Friday, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles says the vigil will begin at the Downtown church at 7 p.m. and conclude at 7 a.m. the following day.
“This is an historic moment for our Church,” said Cathedral Pastor Msgr. Kevin Kostelnik. “As Catholics, we pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the College of Cardinals as they select our next Pope.”
The Vatican announced Tuesday as the date the papal conclave will begin –- a sign the 115 voting cardinals could be prepared to elect a new Pope. The first vote is expected to take place that afternoon.
Bells will ring and white smoke will flow from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel when one cardinal receives at least 77 votes.
The cardinals are expected to continue pre-conclave discussions on Saturday and Monday.
The conclave marks the first in 719 years that is being held while the previous Pope is alive.
