A New Era in St Peter's Square: The Election of America's First Pope
Pope Leo XIV's selectionunexpectedly prompted applause, warmth, and cheers within St Peter's Square.
It's 6:08 PM and the air is filled with anticipation as the white smoke signals a new pope's election. But our team isn't in St Peter's Square, we're a few kilometers away, in Rome's Garbatella district.
A pair of dog walkers, sensing the unusual bell ringing nearby, look at their phones. "A new pope? Who is it?" one asks. Although there's no response, every eye is on St Peter's Square, the only place to be as we await the 267th pope to emerge onto the basilica's loggia.
The streets of Rome grow congested, and Lungotevere turns into an endless river of cars. Pedestrians glance at their phones, questioning the chaos, as a procession of Missionary Sisters of Charity crosses Ponte Fabricio.
It's 6:30 PM, yet the Vatican seems an impossible destination, and still no word on the exact time the new pontiff will appear with the traditional "Habemus Papam" declaration. Forty-five minutes after the white smoke, the faithful crowd is still pushing through metal detectors to enter the square.
We're inside with 150,000 people pouring in within the hour. The atmosphere is electric with excitement and tension. Behind Bernini's fountain, a group of nuns wearing blue robes breaks into a lively song. Everyone's phone is on standby, but the absence of an internet connection leads to frustration.
"Are we really living in the moment?" marvels Tania, who’d rushed there as soon as the news broke. Chiara and her companions are trying to capture a test photo of the loggia, hoping it might document this historic moment. Tania still hopes for Cardinal Zuppi or Cardinal Pizzaballa, but little did they know...
The fountain's water creates a soothing melody that eventually gives way to the pope's arrival. As the loggia's curtains open, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti recites the traditional Latin announcement: "Habemus Papam."
The crowd gasps as the new pope is revealed: North American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who chooses the name Leo XIV.
Despite the loudspeakers, his name is hardly audible from our position. A young priest is the first to recognize "Robert," but the surprise still lingers.
Leo XIV: The Homegrown American Pope
History is unfolding in St Peter's Square, and it's palpable. The phone signal is still down, and everyone's struggle to confirm the new pope's identity adds to the tension. Minutes pass between the proto-deacon's announcement and Leo XIV's appearance, leaving some among the crowd initially concerned.
The loudspeakers buzz with whispers of "Leo XIV," but the absence of online confirmation leaves uncertainty. Finally, Cardinal Prevost speaks, addressing the faithful in Italian: "Peace be with you!"
His words are barely audible, yet the crowd listens in awe. The prayer for world peace, applause, and the chant "pope, pope" subside as the Hail Mary is recited. St Peter’s Square becomes a living prayer as the sun sets, and a half moon takes its place.
Spanish and South American flags wave as leo XIV delivers his speech in Spanish, expressing love to his diocese in Chiclayo, Peru. "That is the strength of the Church," smiles a young African priest. "It takes you by surprise like this."
As the square empties, the excitement lingers. Don Giulio, a priest from Rome's Tor Bella Monaca neighborhood, speaks with family and friends about making it to St Peter's Square as quickly as possible upon seeing the white smoke. "The Lord wanted us all here," he says, beaming at the countless youths lingering nearby.
"This would only happen if Italy won the World Cup," he concludes, a twinkle in his eye. "Indeed, it would be even bigger."
Sources:
- Roman Catholic Church
- Pope Leo XIV
- Cardinal Robert Prevost
- St Peter's Square
- In the midst of conversation with dog walkers about the odd bell ringing nearby, one notices the bells tolling from the Vatican, wondering if it could signal a new pope's election.
- As Tania anxiously waits for the new pope to make his appearance in St Peter's Square, she wishes to share the exciting moment on social-media platforms like Whatsapp, but the signal remains weak and intermittent.
- The evening is filled with entertainment, as the atmosphere in St Peter's Square transforms into a lively celebration, captured by churchgoers hopeful to document history as Americans celebrate the election of their first pope, Leo XIV.
