Robert transth New Beginning for the Catholic Church

After the sorrow of death, the joy of a new beginning.

The warm May Sun was still high in the sky when he roared the streets around St. Peter’s Square.

A street over the startled people looked at each other, then on their phones. Then they began to flee the narrow alleys leading to the Vatican. “White smoke, say white smoke!” They called.

By the time they reached the square, white fog was still floating over the left side of the Apostolic Palace, where 133 cardinals were closed from the previous day, voting to choose the new leader of the Catholic Church.

As in the evening, the sun passed through the statues of the apostles of the Basilica of St. Peter and bells, who enjoyed the square, young and elderly people, zig-wandering through the crowd, and a group of nuns held hands as journalists and cameras turned.

Less than three weeks ago, Pope Francis blessed the crowds from the balcony at St. Peter, and his memory hung over the square on Thursday; Almost everyone wanted to share their impressions, mentioned Francis and the need for the new pope to follow in his steps.

“We just arrived today from America,” a woman named Amanda told the BBC. “It feels like a blessing. We came here for that and here it is.”

“Divine time!” She jokes. Two stylish women of their 20s said they were “about to cry.” “It’s a historical moment, it’s crazy,” one said, adding that he hoped that the next pope would be “at least as good as the latter.”

It was a mood, voiced by many in those last minutes before Pope Leo XIV announced.

“It doesn’t matter to us where it is from the fact that he follows in Francis’ footsteps and creates unity for all of us Catholics,” said a French woman as he threw his five children to get closer to the front of the square.

By the time Dominic Mamberti, the proto -jacure, loaded with the task of delivering the emblematic address of Habem Papam on the square – appeared on the balcony, St. Peter was full to the edge. However, this was silent after the name of Robert Francis Pressee was read.

Those who know may have identified the 69-year-old Cardinal in Chicago-who worked for many years as a missionary in Peru before being made by Bishop there a potential pontiff at the beginning.

But at first, many people on the square seemed puzzled and the complete lack of coverage of the phone meant that most could not search the Internet – so the first impression that most received from Pope Leo XIV was reduced to the way he introduced himself from the richly decorated balcony.

He visibly moved to the beginning and dressed in white and red clothes and spoke confident – if he was slightly accentuated – Italian, he read a much longer speech than the remarks made by his predecessor Francis in 2013.

“I would like this greeting of peace to reach all your hearts and families … and people around the world. Let peace be with you,” the new Pope began when the square was silent.

At other times, his address was greeted with frequent warm applause, especially when he mentioned “Peace” – which he did nine times – the late Francis.

A section of speech, presented in Spanish, in which Pope Leo XIV remembered his time in Peru, was greeted with cheers from different pockets of the South Americans, strewn through the square.

He also insisted on the need for unity and finally asked everyone to unite in prayer. As he began to recite Ave Maria, a deep noise rose as the square followed a suit, some praying in their own languages.

The crowd began to slowly get out of the square shortly after. As people were flowing past them, a young couple kept it close, shining. “I still have goosebumps,” said Carla of Barcelona.

“The energy is contagious, it is incredible – it is here for the first time here, and for me it is 100% surreal,” said Juan, who is from Ecuador and has never been in the Vatican before. Asked what his hope is for Pope Leo XIV, he said, “That the Holy Spirit guides him. I hope that it means that we can all be united together.”

Gemma, a resident of Rome, said she didn’t even hear the name Robert Presses until she came across this on Instagram this morning. “The reaction on the square was not so warm,” added her friend Marko.

“If it was Italian, everyone would start.” “But it was a beautiful evening, a beautiful occasion,” Gemma said. “This was my first conclave. And this new pope is only 69, so who knows when will be the next one?”

The square was emptied. The restaurants around the Vatican were filled with worshipers, clergy and tourists. The couples clicked the last selfies outside the basilica.

In the Apostolic Palace – now unsealed – Robert Presses held a moment of private prayer.

Then, for the first time, he again entered the Sistine Chapel like Leo XIV, 267th Pope.