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Podcasts Take Two
Popularity of Pope Francis revives interest in his saintly namesake
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Mar 13, 2014
Listen • 5:23
Popularity of Pope Francis revives interest in his saintly namesake
It's been a year since Pope Francis took leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, and in the year since, he's won over Catholics and non-Catholics alike with his down-to-earth demeanor.
A portrait of Pope Francis is for sale at Cotter Church Supplies Inc. in Westlake on Wednesday, March 12, 2014. Many local churches buy the large portraits to display in their lobbies.
A portrait of Pope Francis is for sale at Cotter Church Supplies Inc. in Westlake on Wednesday, March 12, 2014. Many local churches buy the large portraits to display in their lobbies.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
A St. Francis candlestick is on display at Cotter Church Supplies Inc. in Westlake on Wednesday, March 12, 2014. Pope Francis chose to name himself after St. Francis, who is known for getting rid of all his possessions and helping the poor.
A St. Francis candlestick is on display at Cotter Church Supplies Inc. in Westlake on Wednesday, March 12, 2014. Pope Francis chose to name himself after St. Francis, who is known for getting rid of all his possessions and helping the poor.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Customer Jenny Mueller, a shopper for television set decorations for "Scandal," shops for items to be used in a Church set. Mueller, who is religious but not part of a denomination, likes Pope Francis because she believes he's rekindling the spirit of what it is to be religious.
Customer Jenny Mueller, a shopper for television set decorations for "Scandal," shops for items to be used in a Church set. Mueller, who is religious but not part of a denomination, likes Pope Francis because she believes he's rekindling the spirit of what it is to be religious.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
A St. Francis statue depicts the saint with a wolf. The popularity of St. Francis figurines and other related memorabilia have become increasingly popular because of Pope Francis, who named himself after the saint.
A St. Francis statue depicts the saint with a wolf. The popularity of St. Francis figurines and other related memorabilia have become increasingly popular because of Pope Francis, who named himself after the saint.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
A customer shops at Cotter Church Supplies Inc. on Wednesday March 12, 2014. About 60 percent of the store's business comes from churches, with 40 percent coming from laity.
A customer shops at Cotter Church Supplies Inc. on Wednesday March 12, 2014. About 60 percent of the store's business comes from churches, with 40 percent coming from laity.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Co-owner Mike Cotter helps a customer over the phone with an order. The store is one of the only sources where churches can buy high volumes of wine and hosts (sacramental bread).
Co-owner Mike Cotter helps a customer over the phone with an order. The store is one of the only sources where churches can buy high volumes of wine and hosts (sacramental bread).
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Books related to Pope Francis are for sale inside Cotter Church Supplies Inc. in Westlake on Wednesday, March 12, 2014.
Books related to Pope Francis are for sale inside Cotter Church Supplies Inc. in Westlake on Wednesday, March 12, 2014.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Cotter Church Supplies Inc. employee Tessie Omana looks for a book to fill an order for the VA Hospital on Wednesday, March 12, 2014.
Cotter Church Supplies Inc. employee Tessie Omana looks for a book to fill an order for the VA Hospital on Wednesday, March 12, 2014.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Co-owner Pat Cotter moves boxes out onto the floor at Cotter Church Supplies Inc. on Wednesday, March 12, 2014.
Co-owner Pat Cotter moves boxes out onto the floor at Cotter Church Supplies Inc. on Wednesday, March 12, 2014.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)

It's been a year since Pope Francis took leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, and in the year since, he's won over Catholics and non-Catholics alike with his down-to-earth demeanor.

It's been a year since Pope Francis took leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, and in the year since, he's won over Catholics and non-Catholics alike with his down-to-earth demeanor.

KPCC's Leslie Berestein Rojas takes stock of the "Pope Francis effect" during a visit to a local store that sells Catholic religious supplies.

RELATED: Check out more photos inside California's largest church supply store on KPCC's AudioVision.