From eager anticipation to celebration in St. Peter’s Square

By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — When white smoke came pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica started pealing, people who had been relaxing at cafes or sitting in the shade went running or quickly walking toward St. Peter’s Square.

“Hurry! Get over here! It’s happening!” one young man shouted into his phone, smiling as he sprinted down the street.

“Who knows who it will be,” a mom said to her young child squirming in a stroller.

Hundreds of pilgrims who had been prayerfully processing toward the basilica’s Holy Door stopped dead in their tracks, cameras and phones out, filming the smoking chimney and the bells.

Vatican employees and officials, even several cardinals over the age of 80 — therefore not part of the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV — gathered in a large section in the front of the square. Among them were Cardinals Sean P. O’Malley, the retired archbishop of Boston; Donald W. Wuerl, the retired archbishop of Washington; and Marc Ouellet, retired prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

Even the Italian woman who brought Pope Francis yellow flowers was given a spot in the VIP section.

For the hour that passed from the time the smoke ended, and the new pope was announced to the world, people in the square chanted “Habemus papam” and “Via il papa” (“Long live the pope”). Some even started shouting the last name of the cardinal they thought had been chosen, such as “Viva Parolin!” and Viva Zuppi!” — two Italians who were considered favorites.

When the curtain behind the central balcony parted at 7:13 p.m., the crowd erupted into cheers then quickly hushed to hear French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announce the name.

While most did not recognize the U.S. cardinal’s name: Robert Francis Prevost, people loved his choice of Pope Leo.

When the new pope appeared at the balcony, he was welcomed by chants and cheers of his new name in Italian, “Leone! Leone!” The pope was visibly moved and tears showed in his eyes on the big screens.

“We are so happy to have a Pope Leo the 14th,” Carlo Distante told CNS. “After having Pope Francis, we feel confirmed in the faith, and to hear the new pope talk about building bridges and peace and synodality, we are so moved.”

Emiliano Rios from Guadalajara, Mexico, told CNS, “I am so excited. I really liked his speech and being a church for everyone.”

Thomas Evans from Libertyville, Illinois, was thrilled the new pope was from Chicago.

“He was very involved with a lot of the Catholic churches around the Chicago area,” he told CNS. “I’m from the suburbs, and so he’d be very generous and come to a lot of the Masses around the area. I wish I knew him personally, but I don’t. But I’m just very, very, very happy that he’s from Chicago and I’m here to witness this.”