Like other young Roman Catholics, the Barkowski children of Minnesota Avenue in Harrison hope that Pope Benedict XVI shares the passion that his predecessor, John Paul II, had to reach out to youth.
Clare, Michael and Katie Barkowski, all members of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in New Kensington, have been intently watching the events surrounding the death of a beloved pope and the naming Tuesday of his successor.
Katie, 20, who is a junior pre-med major at St. Vincent College, attended World Youth Days in Rome in 2000 and Toronto in 2002.
She saw John Paul II, felt a deep connection to the pontiff and felt transformed by the gatherings.
She likened his death to losing a beloved grandfather.
When she heard that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected, Katie was elated.
"That finally put me at peace," she said.
John Paul wanted World Youth Day 2005 to be held in Germany. Katie said she had plans to go again, but this time wants to bring Michael, 15, a ninth-grader at St. Joseph High School in Harrison.
"I sure hope this pope has the program," he said.
Initial reports say the new pontiff already has agreed to hold the event.
Katie said she plans a side trip to the part of Germany where the founder of St. Vincent College, Boniface Wimmer, was born. Coincidentally, it's close to the birthplace of Pope Benedict XVI, she said.
"This is the first time I could experience the conclave and selection process," Michael said. He opposes abortion and the death penalty. He hopes the new pope will follow in the doctrinal steps of John Paul II.
"It will be a tough act to follow," said his sister, Clare, 14, who is in the eighth grade at Mary Queen of Apostles School, New Kensington.
"It was very moving for us to watch this on TV and know that this is a historic time," she said. "It was very essential for us to be part of it."
Other students pleased, too
"He definitely has big shoes to fill," said Mary Queen of Apostles School eighth-grader, Nicole Englert, 14, of New Kensington.
"John Paul did a great job," said Jessica Orlowski, 15, a St. Joseph ninth-grader from New Kensington. "Since Pope Benedict XVI was one of his closest friends, I think this is good."
St. Joseph's senior John Levri, 18, of Buffalo Township, said he "really loved the old pope" and he hopes the new pope will "carry on John Paul's mission."
Alyssa Thimons, 18, another senior, from Allison Park, said the news about the cardinals and the election was exciting to watch on TV.
"I don't think there will be big changes," she said.
When the white smoke appeared and the bells began to peal signaling the election, "the whole school stopped," said Erin Rapsinsky, 16, a St. Joseph 10th-grader from New Kensington.
"This shows unity," she smiled.
