Francis Takes the Throne: Behind the Scenes of Pope Francis' Election in Vatican City
Candidates convene for the upcoming papal election - Candidate Nominations for the Papal Election Announced
Get the scoop on how Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the beloved Pope Francis, claimed his spot as the 266th head honcho of the Roman Catholic Church, right here in the heart of Vatican City, Rome. This historical moment, which took place on March 13, 2013, marked the inauguration of the very first Jesuit pope!
A Peek into the Backstory
- Before the Big Dance: Pope Francis' coronation followed the stunning resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, who made the shocking announcement of his departure on February 11, 2013. This marked the first papal abdication in nearly six centuries!
- Dancers on the Stage: The College of Cardinals, a grand troupe of 115 cardinals at the time, gathered in the Sistine Chapel for the epic showdown - the election.
The Closed-Door Meeting - The Conclave
- Voting Procedures: The hyped event kicked off on March 12, 2013, with the first round of voting. Cardinals exchanged their votes, and once counted, the ballots were set ablaze, revealing the results with either gloomy black smoke (no new pope) or triumphant white smoke (mission accomplished).
- The Finale: After a brief five rounds, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, our new pope, was crowned! This electrifying conclusion was a set record compared to some long-winded historical elections, like the 1268-1271 conclave, which dragged on for an astonishing nearly three years[3].
- His Regal Moniker: Benedict XVI chose the name Francis, paying homage to the revered St. Francis of Assisi, symbolizing his dedication to simplicity and transformation within the Church[2].
What Makes This Election a Memorable One
- Historical Firsts: Pope Francis' election marked several groundbreaking milestones, including being the first pope to hail from the Americas and becoming the first Jesuit pope.
- Global Influence: Pope Francis' reign was marked by his relentless efforts to modernize the Church's administration as well as address pressing global issues such as climate change and economic disparity.
Waving to the Crowds - The Aftermath
Pope Francis' election in 2013 transformed the face of the Vatican City, leading to an epoch of leadership and change within the Catholic Church. This inspiring leader's legacy continues to resonate, shaping the Church's trajectory and its stance on pressing global issues.
- Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope, was crowned on March 13, 2013, in a record-breaking conclave after only five rounds of voting in the Sistine Chapel.
- Named after Saint Francis of Assisi by Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis' election marked another historical first as the first pope from the Americas.
- The election of Pope Francis occurred following the groundbreaking resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 11, 2013, making it the first papal abdication in nearly six centuries.
- The College of Cardinals, a group of 115 at the time, gathered to elect the new pope, which led to the selection of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the 266th head honcho of the Roman Catholic Church.
