Habemus papam!

With unexpected swiftness, the 133 cardinal electors closeted in the Sistine Chapel have accomplished their assigned task of electing a new leader of the universal Church.  Upon the appearance of the iconic white smoke at about 6 p.m., a visceral excitement seized the onlookers--a vast crowd of the devout and the curious, waving flags of many countries and beaming for the news cameras.  The pageantry commenced with the playing of the Vatican hymn and the Italian national anthem, ending in a mutual salute between the plumed leaders of both bands, while nearby residents and visitors continued to race to the square in the setting sun.

After about an hour, the curtains at the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica parted, and Frenchman Dominique Mamberti, the Cardinal Deacon, stepped forward, smiling, to deliver the traditional announcement of "Habemus papam!"  Clasping his hands together, he intoned the Latin announcement that the Cardinals had chosen American-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who also holds Peruvian citizenship.  The Cardinal has most recently served as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and will bear the name Pope Leo XIV.

When the newly elected pope was revealed to the multitude, he faced them with a gentle reserve tinged with emotion.  Invoking peace upon all humanity, he expressed the need for dialogue and the building of bridges between people.  Committing the Church to the protection of the Blessed Mother, he then read the solemn papal blessing "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and the World).  While the shadow of a helicopter flashed by the balcony, he waved to the crowd below.

As the sede vacante comes to its abrupt conclusion, may God watch over his newly apppointed Shepherd, and may we always pray for the Pope!