Roman Catholics in the Valley joined a worldwide prayer Monday for the papal election process, which begins Tuesday in Vatican City.

About 150 parishioners gathered at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno's special Mass for the Election of the Pope, which was held at noon at St. John's Cathedral in downtown Fresno.

Many who attended were seniors. Some parishioners came during their lunch breaks.

"It's very important for us to pray," said Carmen Mejia, a parishioner at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in northwest Fresno. "The Bible says that where two or more gather, God listens to their prayers."

The College of Cardinals is meeting this week at the Vatican to select one of their own to replace Pope Benedict XVI, who became the first pope to step down since the Middle Ages.

About 115 of the red-hatted cardinals, the "princes" of the church, will cast their votes for the 266th pope.

The Fresno Mass was short and simple, lasting 45 minutes. Bishop Armando X. Ochoa of the Diocese of Fresno was the celebrant. Nine clergy members assisted. Two singers and an organist provided the music.

Ochoa, in his homily, put the Mass into world context, saying parishioners in the cathedral were praying for cardinals, who, at that moment, were having their evening meal in Rome.

"We join with all the parishes of the world to pray for the intentions and the cardinals going about the proper uses of the Holy Spirit," said Ochoa, who urged people to continue praying throughout the election process.

Mejia said it was important to her to be part of the Valley's prayers.

"We pray for whoever is put in as pope -- that God gives the pope the power, the authority to do everything the Catholic Church needs at this time," she said. "The pope needs to defend the church and the poor."

Ethel Medellin, a Eucharistic minister at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in east-central Fresno, said prayers are needed for the next pope because it is a critical time for the church.

"We need a strong person as the head of the church, like Pope John Paul II," she said. "He will meet with the heads of states of all countries. It's important that the next pope has strong words to say to them.

"Hopefully, our new pope will have such a belief that the heads of states will see the faith in him."

Alycia Lara, a St. John's parishioner, said she wants the next pope to have the stamina that it takes to do the job.

"I'd like to see a younger pope," she said. "With all the responsibilities they give him, it's a heavy load."