Electing a pope: World focuses on Rome

Rome is once again the focus of the world. Electing the bishop of Rome, the pope, is serious business.

Posted 4:16 a.m. Mar 10, 2013 — Updated 2:11 p.m. Mar 10, 2013

Rome is once again the focus of the world. Electing the bishop of Rome, the pope, is serious business.

We have been told some of the cardinals are filled with anxiety and trepidation. Understandably so. Whoever the next pope may be will have a full plate of problems to deal with beginning Day 1.

Conclave, the voting process, begins Tuesday.

While we wait, we wait. Literally. Photographer Keith Baker and I have been in Rome for 36 hours. Our bags, however, did not make the connection in Philadelphia. All of Keith's gear except the camera, thankfully, remains missing. Frustrating to spend hours on the phone with US Air, yet it comes with the territory of international travel.

As we wait, we work. For the next two days, our reports will focus on what is happening in Vatican City as well as addressing the question: "Why does this matter?"

Even if you are not Roman Catholic, even if matters of religion and spirituality do not matter to you, this election should.

Tonight at 10 on FOX 50 and 11 on WRAL-TV we will talk with clergy in Raleigh – a priest, a rabbi and an imam. I think you will find their perspectives quite interesting.

Ciao...

David Crabtree

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