Rome – A moved crowd greeted with prolonged applause and the festive bells of St. Peter's Basilica the white smoke that, at 19:13 p.m., announced to the world the election of the 267th Pontiff of the Catholic Church.
In just a few minutes, St. Peter's Square filled with thousands of faithful from all over the world, many of them with cell phones in hand to immortalize the moment when white smoke came out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.
“Long live the Pope” reads one of the many signs raised in the crowd. The flags of dozens of countries wave amid songs, prayers and hugs. Some are moved, some recite the Rosary, some look with emotion at the central balcony of the Basilica, waiting for the Habemus Papam and the name of the new Holy Father.
Among those present were many young people, a symbol of renewed hope for the future of the Church. The square was a mosaic of emotions and colors, while the expectation for the face and words of the new Pope grew.
Article published on May 8, 2025 - 18:29 pm
