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Omaha, NE - Omaha Archbishop George Lucas believes the College of Cardinals will choose a new Pope by Palm Sunday.

Lucas sat down for a one-on-one interview with Action 3 Anchor Craig Nigrelli this afternoon.  He believes the Cardinals will take age into consideration.  He thinks they will choose someone younger than Pope Benedict, who was 78 when appointed in 2005.  Lucas said, " Catholics expect the Pope to travel, that can be a demanding part of the job. "  

With Hispanics now making up 35% of the Catholic population in the United States, Lucas sayas it may be time to name a Pope from Latin America. " It's certainly a possibility because the church is so vibrant in Mexico and Latin America."

The Archbishop also seemed to agree with a recent USA Today editorial that this "is an opportunity for the church to cleanse itself" of the priest sex abuse scandal. Lucas noted, " I think they'd be very conscious of choosing someone who understands the harm that's been done and a sense of how to move forward that puts the church on the side of the protection of young people."

Archbishop Lucas will host a prayer service for the College of Cardinals on Sunday at St. Cecilia in Omaha.