CLAWSON — Inna Espinoza, an eighth-grader at Guardian Angels Catholic School in Clawson, was elected pope last week.

In a way.

Along with 114 classmates, Inna helped participate in a mock conclave March 12 at Guardian Angels Parish. Each of the students was given the name of one of the real cardinals in Rome and was asked to wear red to a special Mass celebrated by Guardian Angels associate pastor Fr. Greg Rozborski.

During his homily, Fr. Rozborski told the students to pray for their assigned cardinal — and remember his name, should he be the next Roman pontiff. The winner, he said, would receive a special honor.

While Inna, who represented Argentina’s Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, won’t get to sit on St. Peter’s chair, she did win the chance to be Guardian Angels’ “pastor for a day.”

“Just make sure you are nice to me and Fr. Gerry (LeBoeuf, Guardian Angels’ pastor),” Fr. Rozborski said.

Guardian Angels Principal Sharon M. Hammerschmidt said the students took an instant liking to the idea.

“The kids really liked it and really learned about the process,” she said.

During the Mass, the 115 students processed into the church in imitation of the cardinals in Rome, and the doors to the parish were closed when Mass began.

Once inside, Fr. Rozborski asked the students what they thought the cardinals would be looking for in a new pope.

Some students said the cardinals would look for someone who had Jesus in his heart; others said they would look for someone who was ready for the responsibility of being the Holy Father. Overall, the children agreed that the new pope would be someone who would be like Jesus and he would be led by the grace of the Holy Spirit.