Have you read CNA’s story about the Catholic school in Virginia that performed a mock Papal Conclave in order to teach students about how a new Pope is elected?

Image courtesy of St. Louis Catholic School.

St. Louis Catholic School in Arlington, Virginia went to great lengths to create an atmosphere of prayer and deliberation in order to show students just a little bit of what the Cardinals are preparing to do in Rome.

Image courtesy of St. Louis Catholic School.

The school auditorium/gymnasium was transformed into a mini-Vatican complete with a Sistine Chapel and Papal Balcony. The most incredible part about all this is how captivated the school children — grades K-8 — were during the proceedings which lasted close to two hours.

Image courtesy of St. Louis Catholic School.

Principal Dan Baillargeon said the kids who watched were “absolutely riveted” and that the students playing parts in exercise were “really reverent.”

Image courtesy of St. Louis Catholic School.

Despite the elaborate set, detailed costumes and characters, and enthusiasm of the school, Principal Baillargeon said his main hope for “everything” that’s done at the school is done to help the kids understand, and therefore, “be more excited about their faith.”

Image courtesy of St. Louis Catholic School.

Principal Baillargeon also confirmed that although “Cardinal Turkson” was elected as “Pope Sebastian I”, there is “no anti-pope” wandering the halls of St. Louis.

Image courtesy of St. Louis Catholic School.