At about six minutes past six in the evening of Thursday, May 8, a shout of joy went around St. Peter's Square. The crowd began to applaud, the expectation could be read on their faces, they began to run and rush through the security checkpoints, and cell phones were raised in the direction of the chimney that has been crowning the gable roof of the Sistine Chapel for a few days now. The smoke is finally white. Habemus Papam!
A human mass that, since yesterday with the beginning of the conclave, prowls around, swirls at the entrances to the Plaza. It is a spring afternoon, but the summer heat struggles to make its presence felt. The radiant western sun barely allows to contemplate the white smoke of the smoke.
Who will it be?
It was uncertain whether this conclave would be longer or shorter. There was the desire to reach a consensus soon, but many cardinal electors did not know each other and few ventured to predict when the two-thirds majority, that is, the 89 votes, would be achieved. Following what happened with Benedict and Francis, who were elected with 4 and 5 ballots respectively, 4 scrutinies were enough for the cardinals to agree and give the Church a new Pope.
They wave in the enclosure encircled by the colonnato Bernini flags of all countries. Among others, from the countries of some of the cardinal electors, several of which have topped the polls these days: Philippines, Spain, Chile, Portugal, Congo... Soon the question arises: who will it be? Some Italians question some Mexican priests of Regnum Christi. Some commented that they thought it would be tomorrow. Others reminded them of the importance of prayer.
The faces of those present radiated joy. In a demonstration of Catholicism, one sees young and old, religious and families, people of all races and backgrounds. There is great expectation. People applaud and shout in bursts of enthusiasm, like those who abandon their orphanage and once again have a guide and a father.
At around 6.30 p.m., the Vatican band, escorted by the Swiss Guard, makes its appearance and parades playing the papal hymn. Shouts of "Long live the Pope!", "God is great" and "This is the Pope's youth" are heard. The festive atmosphere increases by the minute. Someone intones the Marian hymn of the Salve Regina.
A Pope close to the people
Natalia and Cristina have traveled from Spain to be at the fumata. They are from the parish of San Pascual Bailon in Valencia. Natalia works in Caritas and Cristina is a volunteer. They were very excited to experience this moment live and their pastor encouraged them to come on behalf of the parish community. "We arrived yesterday. We were at the first smoke and today we have been around the Vatican all day," they say. They assure that they do not have any candidate in mind: "This is unpredictable". And they add: "We have to pray a lot for him, smooth his path with prayer. If the work of a parish priest is already complicated, imagine a pope!
What do you expect from the new pontiff? Natalia answers: "I work in Caritas, so I like a Pope who is very close to the people who need him most, although the spiritual part of the Church is also needed. I would like him to combine the two things". They say they would also like him to follow the legacy of Francis, "but at the same time each one has his own stamp and will contribute different things".
Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum!
Finally, after an hour of waiting, the balcony windows open and Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, protodeacon and therefore in charge of announcing the name of the new pontiff, makes his appearance in the Vatican loggia. There is a solemn silence and we hear the long awaited words, which had last resounded 12 years ago: "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum... habemus Papam!". His announcement is greeted with an explosion of applause and cheers of "Long live the Pope!". Then we hear for the first time the name: Robert Francis, called Leone XIV, Cardinal Prevost.
The journalists present in the square deploy their dossiers with the list and biography of the eligible cardinals. Soon the information begins to spread. Prevost is American, born in Chicago, Augustinian, not Trump but his countryman, missionary in Peru, Prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops... 69 years old.
The people gathered in the square began to shout: "Leone! Leone!". Father David, who is American, comments that Prevost has been out of the United States for many years and came to Rome a couple of years ago summoned by Francis. "He is not a name for anyone in the United States," he points out categorically.
First words of Leo XIV
Shortly before 7:30 a.m., the new Pope appears on the balcony of the Vatican Basilica. His countenance is smiling, he greets with emotion. His appearance is accompanied by the music of the bands and the acclamations of the faithful: Leone! Long live the Pope! Both the choice of name -Leon XIII was the Pontiff of the Social Doctrine of the Church-as his first words are a declaration of intent: "Peace be with you!" It is the greeting of the risen Jesus and a "desire for peace for the world." And he continues: "This is the peace of the risen Jesus, unarmed and disarming, humble, coming from God, who loves us all."
He addresses a memory full of appreciation to his predecessor, Pope Francis, and comments that he will continue the blessing he gave us on Easter Sunday in that same square, "with a weak but courageous voice". The new Pope, the 267th of the Catholic Church, fills his first speech with words such as dialogue, peace, building bridges, being missionaries, synodality, open arms... that already point out the route that will mark his pontificate.
Then he introduces himself to the faithful: "I am a son of St. Augustine. With you I am a Christian and for you I am a bishop". After addressing a special greeting to the Church of Rome, in fluent Italian, he begins to speak in Spanish to greet his beloved diocese of Chiclayo in Peru. He recalls that today is the day of supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii - whose devotion is widespread in Italy - and together we pray a Hail Mary. Then Pope Leo XIV imparts for the first time the blessing to the city and to the world.
From "We can't believe it!" to "It's Peruvian!"
U.S. and Peruvian flags can be seen in the Plaza. Elina, from California, can hardly believe what has just happened. "Now we really have to make America great again, but in a spiritual sense," suggests this young woman who introduces herself as a practicing Catholic, putting a twist on her president's iconic expression.
Jesús, who comes from Ica, Peru, is radiant with happiness. "He is Peruvian," he emphasizes when speaking of the new Pope, "although now he belongs to everyone, to the whole Church". Margarita, also Peruvian, comments that Prevost unites the two Americas.
The new Papa He bids farewell accompanied by the cardinals, who contemplated the scene from the adjacent balconies. The faithful are also leaving with a good taste on their lips. The comments that could be heard expressed very diverse opinions: "It is going to feel more the pinche Trump," comments a young Latino boy. "First a Jesuit and now an Augustinian," says a nun to her companion in habit. "You are part of a historic thing!", a young Italian boy tells his friend. Today we will go to sleep with the feeling of the task done, the mission accomplished: we have a Pope! We don't know if Leo XIV will sleep a wink. Let us pray for him.
