Technology is allowing people all over the world to keep tabs on a 2,000 year old tradition in new ways!
You know the saying, 'there's an app for that.' There's a number of apps and websites people are using to keep tabs on the Papal Conclave.
"I think this is an exciting time to be Catholic," says Catholic school teacher Anthony Signorelli.
A group of Catholic school teachers from New Jersey aren't missing a beat while at a conference at Notre Dame this week.
"At our meeting today I got a message from my wife in New York, 'First Vote. Black Smoke. No Pope,'" says Signorelli.
Catholic School Teacher, Mary Wrenn says, "I'm paying close attention. I've got the pope app!"
The app gives Wrenn the latest information, including video of St. Peter's Square and of course alerts.
Mary Wrenn says, "As I'm back in the classroom Thursday, if they don't already have a Pope by then, I'll get the push notification so in the middle of math class I can yell out, 'hey guys we got a Pope!'" says Wrenn.
Catholics say the vote will have huge implications on which direction the church will take.
"Some of the decisions that will be made over the next few years, 'are we electing a pope who will support old policies or is going to go in a new direction?'" says Catholic School Teacher, Jim Rutzler.
But you don't have to be Catholic to be glued to coverage of the Papal Conclave.
People are even watching as they eat out for dinner.
At O'Rourkes Tuesday they were even showing Vatican TV.
"Yeah, I remember watching it when they did it the last time and I was watching it! Again, I don't know too much about their religion, but I think it is something everyone can get into and learn more," says Christine Waletzko of South Bend.
Sandra Sharkey who's watching the Conclave says, "I think it's a really neat thing and I think it's something that people oughta pay attention to and go along with. This is history that's being made."
For now, Catholics and non-Catholics alike will be keeping an eye for white smoke as Cardinals continue to the task of choosing a new Pope.
"I have a personal favorite. I'm rooting for Ouellet in Canada," says Rutzler.
Waletzko says, "Oh yes it is very interesting. I'll watch it as soon as I get home. I'm sure it's on somewhere."
