HOUSTON -- Thousands of Houstonians prayed for the pope Friday, as word came out of the Vatican about his deteriorating health.

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Houstonians Pray For Ailing Pope Parishioners Hope Pope John Paul II Will Recover

Parishioners who attend Mass every day at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in northwest Houston participated in a special prayer for Pope John Paul II.

The 84-year-old pope has suffered heart failure and was in very grave condition. However, rather than be hospitalized, the pontiff has decided to stay in his apartment overlooking St. Peter's Square.

"He's very weak. His blood pressure and heart are very unstable," St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church Rev. James Anderson said.

Anderson reminded his congregation that whatever happens is God's will.

"God is all merciful and he is the one who is going to decide which way to go," parishioner Ann Beran said.

Many churches in the Bayou City left its doors open later than normal so parishioners could come by and pray for the ailing pontiff.

"I hope everything goes OK and hopefully he will survive. If he doesn't, that's God's will and hopefully he will move onto a better place," parishioner Mark Barilleaux told Local 2.

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Most Rev. Joseph Fiorenza, archbishop of the Galveston-Houston diocese, said he received word Thursday from the Vatican that the pontiff's health had taken a turn for the worse and that he had received the Sacrament of the Sick and Dying.

In the Catholic Church, the sacrament used to be considered one's last rites, but church leaders maintain the pope's fight is far from over.

"It does not mean that the person who receives the anointing is at the point of death and that he'll be drawing his last breath. But it does indicate that he has a very serious sickness and it is cause for grave concern," Fiorenza said. "This (pope) has overcome the odds many times. I think there is no reason to believe that the Holy Father will be able to continue with his ministry."

Fiorenza said it is not uncommon for people to receive the anointment of the sick and then recover. He said the pontiff probably received the same anointment in the past.

Rev. Leon Strieder, of the University of St. Thomas School of Theology, told Local 2 he believes the pope has a very deep sense that God is in charge.

"He wants to do as much as he can. If he can't anymore, then he wants to die in peace and probably die in his own bed. Those are probably his thoughts for whatever God has in store for him," Rev. Leon Strieder of the University of St. Thomas School of Theology said.

According to tradition, when a pope dies, the prefect of the papal household tells the chamberlain. That official must then verify the death, which has been done by striking the pope's forehead with a silver hammer.

The chamberlain would then tell the vicar of Rome of the pope's passing and the vicar would then inform the people of the city.

Strieder said the Vatican would use the news media to inform the masses.

"According to tradition, we should toll our bells slowly, solemnly, announcing the death of a great pilgrim. We will have a novena (nine days of mourning) and about the fourth or sixth day, we should have the papal funeral," Strieder said.

Two-Thirds Majority Needed To Elect New Pope

With the pope's declining heath, many wonder what will happen if the pontiff is unable to recover.

Under church rules, the pope's funeral would not be held until four days after his death.

In tradition dating to the 13th century, the College of Cardinals will meet in Rome and go into conclave to elect the next pope. Modern church rules dictate the conclave can begin no sooner than 15 days and no later than 20 days after the pope's passing.

"I think the cardinals will be very aware that they are electing a successor to one of the gigantic figures in Christian history," papal biographer George Weigel said.

During that confidential meeting, they will look at the condition of the world and the church, and seek God's guidance.

"(The person) will have to be a bishop by the time he takes office. Only bishops can be the bishop of Rome. But, if they elect someone who is not a bishop, he would have to be ordained a bishop," University of St. Thomas Rev. Robert Cooker told Local 2.

Inside the Sistine Chapel, beneath Michelangelo's creation, the cardinals will gather to cast their ballots. They will stay at Casa Santa Marta inside the Vatican and will be forbidden from leaving until a new pope is elected.

Each day there will be a security sweep and officials will check for electronic bugs.

Up to 120 cardinals will be eligible to vote but all cardinals over the age of 80 are excluded.

The vote is taken by secret ballot and a two-thirds majority is needed to elect the next pope. In the unlikely case of a deadlock, the cardinals can elect by an absolute majority plus one.

"Traditionally they have elected someone who is different than the person they are replacing and I suspect that may very well be the case again," papal biographer Michael Walsh said.

After the votes are counted each time, the ballots are burned. If there is no winner, a chemical is included that produces black smoke.

But when a new pope has been chosen, the ballots are burned alone and the sight of the white smoke signals the selection of a new pope.