Southland’s faithful, clergy back pope pick

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The Rev. Dennis Spies speaks parish special Mass pray for newly elected Pope Francis St. Liborious Catholic Church Wednesday March

The Rev. Dennis Spies speaks to the parish at a special Mass to pray for the newly elected Pope Francis at St. Liborious Catholic Church, Wednesday, March 13th, 2013, in Steger. | Gary Middendorf~ Sun-Times Media

Members St. Liborious Catholic Church attend special Mass pray for newly elected Pope Francis St. Liborious Catholic Church Wednesday March

Members of the St. Liborious Catholic Church attend a special Mass to pray for the newly elected Pope Francis at St. Liborious Catholic Church, Wednesday, March 13th, 2013, in Steger. | Gary Middendorf~ Sun-Times Media

Susan Higgans Crete prays for newly elected Pope Francis during special Mass St. Liborious Catholic Church Wednesday March 13th 2013

Susan Higgans, of Crete, prays for the newly elected Pope Francis during a special Mass at St. Liborious Catholic Church, Wednesday, March 13th, 2013, in Steger. | Gary Middendorf~ Sun-Times Media

The Rev. Dennis Spies says prayer special Mass pray for newly elected Pope Francis St. Liborious Catholic Church Wednesday March

The Rev. Dennis Spies says a prayer at a special Mass to pray for the newly elected Pope Francis at St. Liborious Catholic Church, Wednesday, March 13th, 2013, in Steger. | Gary Middendorf~ Sun-Times Media

Dave Evanseck (right) Schererville Ind. Toddy Kelly Steger take moment prayer for newly elected Pope Francis St. Liborious Catholic Church

Dave Evanseck (right), of Schererville, Ind., and Toddy Kelly, of Steger, take a moment in prayer for the newly elected Pope Francis at St. Liborious Catholic Church, Wednesday, March 13th, 2013, in Steger. | Gary Middendorf~ Sun-Times Media

The Rev. Dennis Spies says prayer for Pope Francis special Mass pray for newly elected Pope Francis St. Liborious Catholic

The Rev. Dennis Spies says a prayer for Pope Francis at a special Mass to pray for the newly elected Pope Francis at St. Liborious Catholic Church, Wednesday, March 13th, 2013, in Steger. | Gary Middendorf~ Sun-Times Media

Half a world away from the jubilant scene at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Crete resident Paula Vandermeer on March 13 started spinning in her office in Grant Park out of joy for a newly elected pope. “He’s going to be a unifier,” Vandermeer …