Habemus Papam

[Menydh]

White smoke, bells signal selection of new pope

CNN News
April 19, 2005

VATICAN CITY (CNN) -- White smoke rose from a Sistine Chapel chimney and bells rang Tuesday, signaling the selection of a new pope.

Thousands of people in St. Peter's Square clapped and waved flags as the smoke began to billow over Vatican City about 5:50 p.m. (11:50 a.m. ET).

Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estévez was expected to make the official announcement of the 265th pontiff from the central balcony of the St. Peter's Basilica.

Suspense built as the throng waited for the symbolic ringing of bells, at which point the crowd broke into a roar of jubilation.

The 115 cardinals' morning ballots were burned at about 11:50 a.m. (5:50 a.m. EDT).

After each pair of votes, the ballots were burned in a stove at the Sistine Chapel, with the white smoke in the evening announcing to observers outside that a pope has been elected.

Black smoke had come from the chimney after the two morning votes.

Chemicals are added to the ballots to turn the smoke white or black.

The cardinals taking part in the conclave to elect a successor to Pope John Paul II began their first full day of voting after holding Mass in their living quarters at 7:30 a.m.

Locked away in the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals let it be known that no candidate won their first vote Monday evening, hours after a historic religious ceremony watched around the world.

As black smoke billowed Monday from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, the crowd of thousands outside cheered. (Full story)

"It was very exciting," said Richard Wall, an American in the crowd. "We had some drama tonight."

At first, the smoke's color appeared gray, and some thought it may have been white. But it quickly turned black. Also, John Paul II had decreed that white smoke be accompanied by the ringing of bells, to avoid a repeat of the confusion after his election in 1978.

Monday evening's smoke was emitted shortly after 8 p.m., about 2 1/2 hours after the chapel's doors were closed, marking the beginning of the conclave.

The closing of those large wooden doors ended an hour-long ritual that the Vatican televised live for the first time ever.

Oath of secrecy

Clad in crimson robes, shoulder capes and hats, the 115 cardinals from 52 countries walked from the Hall of Blessings into the Sistine Chapel as "The Litany of Saints" was sung.

Once the cardinals were inside, a choir and the cardinals themselves sang the invocation of the Holy Spirit, "Veni, Creator Spiritus."

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, dean of the College of Cardinals and considered a leading candidate for pope, recited a prayer and a message that included these words: "After having celebrated the divine mysteries, we now enter into conclave to elect the Roman pontiff, the whole church united with us in prayer."

Ratzinger led the group in an oath of secrecy, and each cardinal individually stepped up to a Book of Gospels, placed his hand on it and took another similar oath.

The cardinals also vowed to follow the rules listed by Pope John Paul II in the "Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis," which laid out specific steps for the electoral process, including seclusion "in suitable places" within the Vatican and the use of secret ballots.

At the end, the master of the Pontifical Liturgical Celebration said "extra omnes" -- meaning "everyone out" -- signaling those not participating in the conclave to leave the Sistine Chapel. He then closed the doors, and the televised broadcast came to an end.

The cardinals then had a private meditation and one of them gave a speech before the ballots were handed out.

If the Vatican's plans succeed, there will be no indication of how the deliberations proceed, or who may be surfacing as leading "papabile," or candidates, before a new pontiff is selected.

The term conclave means "with a key" -- meaning the process takes place behind lock and key.

To win, a candidate needs two-thirds of the votes. If three days pass with no pope chosen, the cardinals will take a day of reflection and prayer before resuming balloting. And, under rules established by John Paul II, if no one has the required two-thirds majority after about 12 days, the cardinals can switch to a simple majority.

Speculation rife

There has been a great deal of speculation about who may be chosen to succeed John Paul II, who died April 2 at the age of 84, but cardinals have been mum.

Some taking part in the conclave said they are looking for a leader who presents a hopeful vision, who can "generate some dynamism and some optimism within Catholicism," CNN Vatican analyst John Allen said.

The first clues to the process of finding a successor were sought during the homily or sermon delivered by Ratzinger at Monday's public Mass.

"Having a clear faith, based on the creed of the church, is often labeled today as a fundamentalism," Ratzinger said.

Allen said Ratzinger delivered a "very blunt" message for the church to "stay true to itself."

That was a strong indication that Ratzinger, 78, wants a "traditionalist" elected the next pope, Allen said.

John Paul was widely credited with extending the reach of the papacy. He spoke more than a dozen languages and set an unprecedented pattern of pastoral travel, drawing huge crowds all over the world.

He was also strictly traditional on issues of sexuality and the role of women in the church, which won him support among some Catholics but alienated others. Similar disagreement exists over the next pontiff's stances on issues such as birth control, stem cell research and the ordination of female priests.


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[Menydh]

Benedictus XVI ... Ratzinger!!!

[Agrippa]

Well, thats at least a white European pope with a clear vision, I suspected something worse. He's a logical and consequent thinker afaik.

Lets see how he's doing because if a black would have been elected who would have ordained women and attacked Europe etc. I would have left the church probably.
The main traditional rule I want to see changed is the celibacy.

[Menydh]

Actually, I was starting to suspect that it might be Ratzinger.

Popular as he may have been, with John Paul II the Church has in reality lost much strenght and gone on a downward slope. See Europe as an example.

We'll see with Benedictus XVI. Even I might start attending Mass after all these long years.

[fael]

Apparently he´s probably the finest choice, that could have been made by them, since he at least regards the "culture of the occident" as something worth preserving and tends to be more of a conservative type, than most of the others, who stood for election.

And on top of it all he is German, or even better Bavarian, which makes him worth inhering the position of papacy!

So lets remain hoping, that he might achieve something. He´s going to have a lot of influence by now, so never despair...

[Gesta Bellica]

He is a strong anti-abortist (he said that politicians that are pro-choice should not receive comunion), anti american capitalism and he's firmly against the admission of Turkey in EU.

Really a good, traditional choice.. long live the Pope!!!

[Menydh]

@ Bayerisches Mädchen (I know it's been you)

Alright, so it is "Habemus Papam", and not "Papa". But since the new Pope is a Bavarian and will live in Italy, at least I wanted something Spanish about it.

[Faísca]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

@ Bayerisches Mädchen (I know it's been you)

Alright, so it is "Habemus Papam", and not "Papa". But since the new Pope is a Bavarian and will live in Italy, at least I wanted something Spanish about it.

It was me, actually.

HABEMVS PAPAM

BENEDICTVM XVI

[ Source ]

[Bianca]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

Alright, so it is "Habemus Papam", and not "Papa". But since the new Pope is a Bavarian and will live in Italy, at least I wanted something Spanish about it.

Strictly speaking he will not be living in Italy but in the Vatican City.

[Figlio della Lupa]

Originally Posted by Gesta Bellica

Really a good, traditional choice.. long live the Pope!!!

So, you've finally found the light, camerata?

[Zrinski]

Ze Tschermans win again.

[Menydh]

Originally Posted by Bianca

Strictly speaking he will not be living in Italy but in the Vatican City.

Guess what. I wasn't speaking strictu senso.

[Figlio della Lupa]

Originally Posted by Bianca

Strictly speaking he will not be living in Italy but in the Vatican City.

Bah, it's time for the Papacy to rule all of Italy and rid us of this circus government we've had since 1946. VIVA BENEDETTO XVI !!!

[Nerthus]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

@ Bayerisches Mädchen (I know it's been you)

Alright, so it is "Habemus Papam", and not "Papa". But since the new Pope is a Bavarian and will live in Italy, at least I wanted something Spanish about it.

Nope, it wasn't me. But Johannes did the right thing. It should indeed be "Papam" (Latin, Accusative case)

[Perun]

He does place the revival of the faith in Europe a top priority of the church. Thats good news.

[Gesta Bellica]

Originally Posted by Figlio della Lupa

So, you've finally found the light, camerata?

well maybe he will help me in this

[Bianca]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

Guess what. I wasn't speaking strictu senso.

I noticed also the fact that you weren't speaking in contrario sensu either... between contrario sensu and stricto sensu.