The Vatican erupted with joy as thousands gathered to witness an extraordinary moment in Catholic history: the election of a new pope following the death of Pope Francis last month. The atmosphere in St. Peter’s Square was electric, as worshippers from across the globe united to celebrate what many deemed a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” exclaimed Joseph Brian, a 39-year-old chef from Belfast. Accompanied by his mother, Joseph shared how the palpable energy of the crowd had left him awestruck. “I’m not an overly religious person but, being here with all these people just blew me away,” he said, his eyes shining with excitement as he took in the euphoric scenes around him.
As the sun set over the Vatican, jubilant crowds burst into cheers. A priest could be seen perched on someone’s shoulders, waving a vibrant Brazilian flag high above the sea of faces. Another priest, caught in the spirit of the occasion, hoisted a heavy crucifix in exuberance. Among the shouts of “Viva Il Papa!” or “Long live the pope!” was the unmistakable voice of Bruna Hodara, 41, from Brazil, who echoed, “Habemus papam, woooo!” as she eagerly recorded the historic moment on her phone.
Florian Fried, a 15-year-old from Munich, reflected the sentiments of the crowd, saying, “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be here to see the pope. It’s really special… I’m excited!” His words encapsulated the vibrancy of a gathering that underscored the enduring appeal of the papacy.
The urgency of the Church’s new direction loomed large. The new pope assumes his role amid ongoing societal challenges, inheriting the legacy of Pope Francis—who spent a transformative 12 years at the helm, advocating for a more compassionate Church yet facing backlash for his progressive stances. Chief among the challenges to tackle will be the Church’s effort to heal its divisions while addressing the lingering scars of the sexual abuse scandal.
Assembled to elect the new leader, a diverse conclave of 133 “Princes of the Church” from five continents convened this week, marking it as the largest and most international gathering for such an event in Church history. Bound by a strict vow of secrecy and the threat of excommunication, their only communication with the outside world was the smoke signal emitted from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.
The world held its breath as black smoke billowed forth on Wednesday evening and again on Thursday lunchtime, signalling that no outcome had been reached. Disappointment rippled through the crowd, but anticipation reached a fever pitch just after 6 pm yesterday when white smoke finally rose, confirming the election of the new pontiff.
While the exact number of ballots cast remains confidential, it is known that in recent history, the election process has completed expeditiously. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI required just four ballots, whereas Pope Francis was elected after five. For the new pope, securing at least two-thirds of the votes was essential. The world watches as he prepares to lead in a time that calls for unity and resolute moral direction from one of the largest religious institutions on Earth.