In between
classes and other duties, I followed the Conclave, with my prayers and
chimney-watching, that led to the election of Franciscus, servus servorum Dei, the Rock upon whom the Church, the mystical
Body of Christ, —against which the gates of hell would not prevail— is built (cf.
Matthew 16:18).
With Cardinal Bergoglio ascending to the Papal throne comes many a first: the first Latin American, the first Jesuit, as well as the first to take the name 'Francis,' in honor of the world-famous Umbrian saint, Francesco d'Assisi.
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| Habemus Papam vere! |
With Cardinal Bergoglio ascending to the Papal throne comes many a first: the first Latin American, the first Jesuit, as well as the first to take the name 'Francis,' in honor of the world-famous Umbrian saint, Francesco d'Assisi.
Below
are screenshots of the smoke signals given by the cardinal-electors enclosed in the Sistine Chapel
about the ballot outcomes of this process that, in Velasio Cardinal De Paolis’
words, is at once “a spiritual and a political act.”[1]
Day 1
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| No smoke yet. |
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| Black smoke @ 7:41 p.m. |
Day 2
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| Again, black smoke @ 11:41 a.m. |
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| Finally, the awaited fumata blanca @ 7:06 p.m. |
[1] John L. Allen, Jr. “Today
looms as 'Super Tuesday' for 2013 conclave.” National Catholic Reporter, March 13, 2013.