Worshipers from the hometown parish of a presumed Canadian front-runner for the papacy are offering prayers and predictions for one of their own.

Following today's mass, parishioners at a church in northwestern Quebec, in St-Mathieu-de-Harricana, discussed the possibility of Marc Cardinal Ouellet inheriting St. Peter's throne.

Leo Paul Larouche says he believes there's a good chance Ouellet will become pope.

Larouche grew up with Ouellet in the tiny village of La Motte and says locals would be honoured to see him succeed recently retired pope Benedict XVI.

Ouellet is considered among the top contenders to replace Benedict.

He is head of the powerful Congregation for Bishops, which vets bishop nominations worldwide.

During today's ceremony, worshipers were asked to pray for the cardinals tasked with choosing the next pope, but there was no reference to Ouellet.