Saint Peter's Successor is Elected

The second day of Conclave 2025 began with excitement that was suddenly brought back down to reality. 

Having gone through two rounds of voting this Roman morning, smoke finally appeared out of the Sistine Chapel at around 11:56 am local time.

But could it be that a pope had been chosen?

For the smoke at first looked white and the crowd cheered. We were witnessing a moment in history.

Yet, the moment felt anti-climatic, not fit for a pope's first impression. And soon, you could hear the crowd's cheer turn to disappointment. 

Oddly enough, some of the first commentators were American media personality who quipped that Cardinal Dolan would not allow such a decision to be made when America was sleeping and Italy was at lunch.

Could there have been better foreshadowing?

As the cardinals went for a break, many papabile experts shared their takes on what it meant to have gone through three rounds of voting counting Wednesday.

Who did this favor? What nation benefitted? 

But the truth was always out of their hands and in the hands of a higher being.

After all, most experts felt that there was no chance another pope from the Americas could be elected so soon. It had to be an Italian or someone from Asia or Africa.

Yet, at around 6:09/6:10 pm, smoke once again peered out of the chimney.

The crowd held their breath a little bit more, but cheers were still laudable. 

But, as the smoke came out white and more white, the crowds roar grew decible by decible.

A pope had been chosen!

The crowd's excitement continued as we all waited patiently for what was next.

About 10 minutes later arrived the the Potifical Swiss Guard and their band.

Then at 6:30, Saint Peter's Square was serenated with flutes and wind instruments from the Italian Military Band.

The bands and soldiers kept the crowd interested as we awaited further news. At 6:45, the two leaders saluted and inspected each others' soldiers.

Then, for around 30 minutes, we awaited with brief moments of music. 

Finally, at around 7:15 pm, the Protodeacon of the College of Cardinals, Dominique Mamberti, came out to the Central Balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica (loggia) to announce that Cardinal-Bishop Robert Francis Prevost, OSA, had been elected, and had chosen the name of Pope Leo XIV.

At 7:30 pm, the curtains were opened as the cardinals gathered on either side of the loggia. And at close to 7:37 pm, Pope Leo XIV came out to speak on the balcony for the first time.

Pope Leo XIV opened with the words Jesus spoke to the Apostles after he had risen, "Peace be with you!" 

He spoke of the "peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace," and how God "loves all of us, without any limits or conditions" invoking the memory of Pope Francis.

"Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs His light." - Pope Leo XIV.

The Chicago-born pope continued by thanking the College of Cardinals for their vote, and invoked Saint Augustine as a member of the Order of Saint Augustine. 

He would also give a special greeting in Spanish for the members of his Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru where he has been Bishop, calling them "a loyal, faithful people accompanying the bishop and helping the bishop."

"We have to look together how to be a missionary Church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love." - Pope Leo XIV

With today being the Supplicatio of Our Lady of Pompeii, Pope Leo XIV concluded his first address by asking the Virgin Mary to walk with us and prayed the Hail Mary with the crowd.

Then at 8 pm, the doors were closed once again.

The historical importance of this election is one that cannot be stated more clearly. 

For the first time ever, a pope will be from North America, from the USA, and for the first time an American-citizen and Peruvian-citizen will be pope.