It was incredible
to see and in some ways be a part of the whole process and transition. We were
able to host and spend some time with all of the American cardinals before and
now after the conclave. They joined our community for Mass and prayer. It was
a special gift to be able to interact with and see Cardinal O'Brien as he
prepared for the conclave, for this great time of discernment. A good friend and I were able to go to the Mass at St. Peter's at the beginning of the conclave and we posted up in direct sight of where the cardinals enter the main part of the basilica, in hopes that we would get a chance to connect with Cardinal O'Brien before he processed in and ultimately before he entered the conclave to assure him of our prayers for him and the other electors.
Once the conclave
began, all eyes in town were on that chimney. I was able to be in St. Peter's
Square for all of the "smokings" and the excitement was just incredible. People stood in the Square for hours in anticipation, almost filling it. It was
great to be there and talk with people from all over the world who are in Rome
for all different reasons, all hoping for different traits and defining
characteristics in whoever it was going to be, but all invested and excited and
hopeful.
Yesterday afternoon I went
to the Square around 5:15 with a couple of friends. Most people were expecting black smoke, but were
anxiously waiting nonetheless. As you probably saw, a seagull came and perched
up on the smoke stack. It was a great moment, pretty goofy and light-hearted, but at the same
time- what a reminder that it's not just us here. As Benedict said in his last audience, "The Church is not his... it is not ours." It really does reach out touching and impacting the whole world. But also, what a connection with
St. Francis who is said to have preached to the birds! Who was so big on preaching the Gospel by living in harmony with all of creation, especially the smallest of creatures.
Once the white
smoke came out, and it was pouring out, the place went crazy. Cheers and
expressions of excitement and prayer and joy filled the Square as everyone moved
forward to get closer to the balcony, closer to our new Holy Father, whoever it
was going to be. As everyone was making their way to the front of St. Peter's
Square, the bells started chiming-- sending a signal to the whole of Rome and
the whole world. It was electrifying! The bells of St. Peter's were then joined by church bells throughout the City of Rome. A classmate who lives on the other side of town (and Rome is not a small city) said today that he could hear the bells from where he was; I have also heard that church bells were sounding in and around Baltimore, all signalling that a new Holy Father had accepted the call to lead our Church. In the Square as the crowd grew and grew people were crying out things that even they didn't understand. People were praying, singing, talking to each other, calling home. Everyone was extremely excited.
It had been
raining throughout the afternoon, but about ten minutes before the announcement
from the balcony, it stopped raining. All eyes were on the central balcony, and
every time the curtain moved- whether it was the wind or people moving around
behind it, gasps of excited anticipation raised up. Then the Swiss Guard
marched in from their barracks and formed their ranks below the balcony. A
marching band from the Italian military also marched in, playing the traditional
national anthem.
Then the
announcement. Cries of excitement shot out in the crowd as the thin white
curtain was pulled back and the cardinal announcer stepped out onto the balcony,
"I announce to you with great joy, we have a pope!" The place went crazy! But
then as he announced the name of the cardinal who had been elected pope, there
were cheers followed by side conversations- WHO?. Some of
the Italians were saying that he was Italian, others that he was Brazilian, still others Argentinian. I
saw more i-phones and smart phones being pulled out in those short minutes than
I have seen in my whole life. As the people who were around me and I started to piece it together we realized-- WOW. He is not from Europe. He is from the "New World." He is a Jesuit-- the first ever to be elected pope. And then in just a few moments as the information was surfacing on different news sites people were yelling out, "He takes the bus to work!" "They're saying he is a simple man." "He loves the poor." You could imagine the eager excitement that was growing in the Square.
"He has chosen the name Francis!" Conversations
turned immediately to St. Francis of Assisi and speculations as to what this
might mean. As we waited for our new Holy Father to emerge on the balcony
cheers of "Francesco" echoed throughout the Square. The vast majority of us had no idea of who this person was or what he even looked like. But there was an instant connection. An instant affection for this man who was to be our Father Francesco. As Pope Francis stepped out onto the balcony cries of excited welcome erupted as i-pads and cameras were raised to try and capture the moment. It was such a powerfully emotional moment. It was so awesome to see this humble man stand there, almost motionless, and imagine how he is feeling and what he is thinking as he stands there just taking it all in. He began, "Brothers and sisters, Good Evening!" How simple. How conversational. He then invited us to pray together in Italian for Pope Benedict XVI. Many of us present had been there in that same square just a few days before to express our gratitude and prayerful support of Benedict. Now we pray for him who is praying for us.
Pope Francis then
did something that shocked everyone. He said that he would like to bless us,
but before he blesses us, he would like us to pray to God to bless him, and let
us do this in silence. He, the Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome, the Supreme
Pontiff, then bowed to the people, to his flock as we prayed over him. Compete
silence covered St. Peter's Square as a massive crowd of people from all over
the world prayed over their new Holy Father. That was an incredibly powerful
moment full of spiritual gravity, especially looking up at a simple man bowing
in prayer. I couldn't help but break down in tears as I held my hands out in
prayer toward our Father Francis, this humble disciple. He then proceeded to
bless all of us there, as well as all of the faithful and all men and women of
good will throughout the whole world. Before he left, Pope Francis wished all a good night and a good rest. So simple and conversational.
We heard at the seminary later that night from Cardinal Dolan that as all of the cardinals made their way to dinner Pope Francis chose to not ride in the pope mobile, but to rather "ride with the guys" and get on the bus with the other cardinals.
The talk around
town is full of joy and admiration of this very simple and humble man of God.
The Italian newspapers featured an image of Pope Francis on the loggia at St.
Peter's Basilica with the words- "Il Papa dei
Poveri-- The Pope of the Poor." His example of humble
simplicity and his authentic affection with the poor has caused a great deal of
joyous hope here in Rome as we all look forward to this new phase of our
cammino together.
Examples of his humble disposition to live the Gospel have spread throughout Rome and the whole world. In under two days he has shocked Rome. After praying at a famous portrait of Mary at the Basilica of St. Mary Major the Holy Father made a stop to pray at the altar of St. Igantius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. He then went to the guest house where he had been staying before the conclave to gather his things (which I hear he carried himself) and pay his bill. Oh, by the way, he did not make this trip in the pope mobile, but instead rode in a simple sedan. Sure, it's not the public bus- but it still preaches a message.
This coming Tuesday Pope Francis will celebrate the Mass of his installation as the Successor of Peter here at St. Peter's Square. Many many people are sure to attend. But rumor has it that Pope Francis has invited nuncios, papal delegates, and bishops from around the world to express their spiritual connection with him by not making the trip to Rome, but instead to spend some time with the neediest in some form of charity. What an invitation! Participate in celebrating his installation, in celebrating our faith, in celebrating the Gospel by being with the poor.
I believe that same invitation is offered to all of us as well. I plan on spending some substantial time on Tuesday afternoon with some of my homeless friends here in town. Maybe this is something we can all participate in. Maybe this is an invitation we can all accept. Who is "neediest" in your family or in your town? Who can you spend some time with on Tuesday?
How will you participate in celebrating the Gospel?
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