White Smoke and the New Man in White: 10 Years Later

After a memorable first week of Spring Break at St. Augustine Mission during my final year at ValpU in March 2013, I spent the second week of break at home.

On Monday of that week, the conclave convened to elect a new pope.  I was glad that I was home, largely free of obligations so that I could follow the proceedings.  I remember how I was in 8th grade when Pope Benedict XVI was elected, and I didn't find out until hours later after the school day ended, somewhat disappointed that I had missed it.

The news reported that there would be two rounds of voting, and the smoke from the burning ballots would appear at 6 AM and 1 PM CDT.

So I followed the coverage at those times to see which color smoke would appear, even going so far as to wake up earlier to check at 6 AM.

Following the end of the WGN Midday News on Wednesday, March 13, I sat down at the computer and opened a livestream feed from the Vatican.  No smoke was present, so I switched to another tab to do something else.  When I heard some noise, I switched back to the livestream, and I saw the white smoke!

I excitedly went from the computer in the dining room to the back sunroom in our home, and turned on the TV to NBC, where I lingered for almost the next two hours while the proceedings unfolded.  I had to wait a while for the Cardinal Protodeacon, Jean-Louis Tauran, to announce the Latin formula that a new Pope had been elected and who it was.  When he announced the name, I didn't catch it, but then NBC displayed an image of Cardinal Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, the first time I heard of him.

Then he appeared, as Pope Francis.  It was clear during his first remarks that he is a person of deep faith and prayer, especially in how he led prayers for Pope Emeritus Benedict.  Then, Pope Francis then humbly asked the people to pray for him as the new pope.

Pope Francis has certainly captured the world's attention because of his pastoral style of reaching out to people and seeking to assist those in need.

As I reflect back on that day 10 years ago when he was elected, it was marvelous to watch the unfolding of a new part of Church history, in accordance with customs that stretch back centuries.  Ultimately, it connects us back to Christ, Who charged St. Peter with a special leadership role in the Church, to uphold the teachings and hand them on so that we, the sheep of the flock, would encounter God and then take up the mission of making Him known.  And in each generation, we come to realize this mission anew.