Pope Bestows High Honor On Southampton Church

SOUTHAMPTON, NY (CBSNewYork) - Pope Benedict XVI has designated Southampton's Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Roman Catholic Church a basilica.

WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs On The Story

Pastor Jeffrey Madley says it's a great honor.

"Oh, it's a tremendous honor. It's a wonderful tribute to the parishioners and the church over the past 100 years," he said Thursday. "It's a very impressive thing and it's a wonderful thing, not only for the people who built the church, but the people who are here today."

The Gothic-style church was built in 1908 at a cost of only $100,000, made out of blocks of white marble.

The new basilica designation will mean a canopy addition designed for a Pope.

"The idea is when the Pope comes, they can hold this canopy over his head so the church gets that," Madley told WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs.

Will the Pope be coming? Pastor Madley says you never know.

What do you have to say about the honor? Sound off in the comments section below.