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| In Balconey |
Argentine Jorge Bergoglio was elected pope on Wednesday and chose the
papal name Francis, becoming the first pontiff from the Americas and the
first from outside Europe in more than a millennium.
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| White smoke in the cheminey |
A stunned-looking Cardinal Bergoglio shyly waved to the crowd of tens of
thousands of people who gathered in St. Peter’s Square, marveling that
the cardinals had had to look to “the end of the earth” to find a bishop
of Rome.
Cardinal Bergoglio had reportedly finished second in the 2005 conclave
that produced Benedict who last month became the first pope to resign in
600 years.
After announcing “Habemus Papum” “We have a pope!” a cardinal standing
on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday revealed the
identity of the new pontiff, using his Latin name.
The 76-year-old archbishop of Buenos Aires has spent nearly his entire
career at home in Argentina, overseeing churches and shoe-leather
priests.
Tens of thousands of people who braved cold rain to watch the smokestack
atop the Sistine Chapel jumped in joy when white smoke poured out a few
minutes past 7 p.m., local time (11.30 p.m. IST) many shouting “Habemus
Papum!” or “We have a pope!” as the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica and
churches across Rome pealed.
Chants of “Long live the pope!” arose from the throngs of faithful, many
with tears in their eyes. Crowds went wild as the Vatican and Italian
military bands marched through the square and up the steps of the
basilica, followed by Swiss Guards in silver helmets and full regalia.
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| Selected Pope "Pope Francis" |
They played the introduction to the Vatican and Italian anthems and the
crowd, which numbered at least 50,000, joined in, waving flags from
countries around the world.
“I can’t explain how happy I am right down,” said Ben Canete, a 32-year-old Filipino, jumping up and down in excitement.
Elected on the fifth ballot, Francis was chosen in one of the fastest
conclaves in years, remarkable given there was no clear front-runner
going into the vote and that the church had been in turmoil following
the upheaval unleashed by Pope Benedict XVI’s surprise resignation.
A winner must receive 77 votes, or two-thirds of the 115, to be named pope.
For comparison’s sake, Benedict XVI was elected on the fourth ballot in
2005 but he was the clear front-runner going into the vote. Pope John
Paul II was elected on the eighth ballot in 1978 to become the first
non-Italian pope in 455 years.
Patrizia Rizzo ran down the main boulevard to the piazza with her two
children as soon as she heard the news on the car radio. “I parked the
car ... and dashed to the square, she said. “It’s so exciting, as Romans
we had to come.”