The thick black smoke emanating from the Vatican yesterday was a signal the first vote by cardinals to find Benedict’s replacement was unsuccessful.
The cardinals typically vote twice a day until they reach a two-thirds majority.
The smoke will billow white when they have elected a new Pope.
Realclearreligion.org editor and Lynden resident Jeremy Lott says he is confident the church's sex scandals will play an integral part in decision process.
Lott says many local Catholics are closely watching the proceedings with hopefulness.
He explains the Pope is an integral part of Catholic life as he is the one to make decisions like if people can eat meat on Fridays to what language services are conducted in.
