With the forthcoming Papal Conclave announced as beginning on the 7th of May, the Church in Gozo said that it joins the entire Catholic world in praying for the election of the Successor of Peter. The Bishop of Gozo Anton Teuma will celebrate a Mass “for the election of the Pope” at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu, on the 7th of May, the first Wednesday of Saint Mary, at 8.30am. Also, between Tuesday the 6th evening and Wednesday the 7th morning, in all the Churches of the Diocese of Gozo, the Mass “for the election of the Pope” will be celebrated. “It would be a wonderful thing if in the Churches or Chapels of Adoration, on Wednesday 7th May, and during the days until the Conclave, there would be times of adoration,” the Church said. As soon as the name of the new Pope is announced, all the Churches of the Diocese will sound the bell of joy and flags will be hoisted on the places that are property of the Church. The Church in Gozo said that in addition, the Parish Priests and Rectors of the churches will celebrate the Mass “for the new Pope,” and one of the Prayers of the Faithful will be specifically for his needs and the needs of the Church. In a Message the Bishop encourages the Gozitan diocesan community to accompany with prayer the process of discernment during the Conclave “so that the Holy Spirit may inspire the Cardinals to cast their gaze on the person he wishes to lead the Church in the years to come”. “We also pray for our brother Cardinal Mario Grech who is also, by God’s providence, part of that process,” continued the the Bishop of Gozo. Photo: Diocese of Gozo