After the first day, the cardinal electors returned to Santa Marta
on a rainy afternoon. The first ballot showed the division among the Italian
blocs and that Scola had not received the expected support. This was a strong
sign that a candidate from Latin America might come forward. Bergoglio’s name
was now being taken seriously, and the number of his supporters was
skyrocketing. His pastoral and simple lifestyle drew attention. That first
evening had already begun to shape the future papal candidate within the
dramatic balance of the conclave.
By the
first night of the conclave, three strong factors in Bergoglio’s favour had
become clear: the full support of the Latin American cardinals, his short but
inspiring speech, and the backing of several cardinals from Asia, Africa, and
parts of Europe. In addition, experienced cardinals who had known him from the
2005 conclave were also behind him. For the undecided electors, that night was
the time to make up their minds for the vote the next morning. Bergoglio’s future
would be decided the following day.
Before the conclave, the media was speculating about cracks in Scola’s Italian support and about the situation of other leading candidates. Bergoglio, meanwhile, was now on the radar of many cardinals. It was true that his age caused some concern, but his experience and vision outweighed those doubts.
From an African perspective, the new pope had to care not only for Catholics but for the concerns of the entire world. Bergoglio’s pastoral approach and openness to dialogue made him a fitting candidate for this global responsibility. The conclave was not just about choosing a pope; it was a decision that would shape the Church’s role across the whole world.In the morning, the cardinals arrived at the Sistine Chapel and began the second ballot. The second and third votes saw Bergoglio quickly rise to the forefront; while Scola’s support stalled, Ouellet began to fall behind. The cardinals listened to the ballots in silence, each name echoing like a turning point in history. Once again, black smoke rose into the air, thousands outside were still waiting for the new pope. The dynamics of the conclave were now clear: for the first time, history was pointing toward a pope from the New World. Even though Scola continued to resist, Bergoglio’s rise seemed unstoppable.
During lunch at Santa Marta,
tension and anticipation were at their peak. The crowd outside had a growing
sense that Bergoglio would be chosen, and the cardinals inside were aware of
this shift as well. Bergoglio himself did not yet fully believe he would be
elected, but there were signs preparing him for the possibility: the Cuban
cardinal Ortega y Alamino had asked for his speech text and, when announcing
it, said, “Now I have the text of the new pope.” The Chilean cardinal Ossa
warned him, “Be ready for what you will say!” while Maradiaga invited him to
lunch. All these hints showed that Bergoglio was moving toward a historic
election in the coming hours.
During lunch, the last rumours
attempting to block his path spread: some were claiming he had only one lung to
weaken his chances. However, his supporters, especially Cardinal Maradiaga,
turned to Bergoglio to verify his health condition and learned the truth. These
clarifications brought great relief to Bergoglio and those around him. At that
moment, through the signs and the reactions of the cardinals near him,
Bergoglio began to feel that he would indeed be elected. In his own words, he
felt “a deep peace and calm, even though it was a complete surprise.” That
peace carried over into his short rest after lunch, reflecting his calm,
determined, and faith-filled character. Meanwhile, other cardinals were also
making their preparations for the election: For example, Cardinal Tong had
brought a special gift to present to the new pope.
 |
| Pope Francis enters the Domus Sanctae Marthae |
In the morning, the cardinals
arrived at the Sistine Chapel and began the second ballot. The second and third
votes saw Bergoglio quickly rise to the forefront; while Scola’s support
stalled, Ouellet began to fall behind. The cardinals listened to the ballots in
silence, each name echoing like a turning point in history. Once again, black
smoke rose into the air; thousands outside were still waiting for the new pope.
The dynamics of the conclave were now clear: for the first time, history was
pointing toward a pope from the New World. Even though Scola continued to
resist, Bergoglio’s rise seemed unstoppable.
During lunch at Santa Marta,
tension and anticipation were at their peak. The crowd outside had a growing
sense that Bergoglio would be chosen, and the cardinals inside were aware of
this shift as well. Bergoglio himself did not yet fully believe he would be
elected, but there were signs preparing him for the possibility: the Cuban
cardinal Ortega y Alamino had asked for his speech text and, when announcing
it, said, “Now I have the text of the new pope.” The Chilean cardinal Ossa
warned him, “Be ready for what you will say!” while Maradiaga invited him to
lunch. All these hints showed that Bergoglio was moving toward a historic
election in the coming hours.
During lunch, the last rumours
attempting to block his path spread: some claimed he had only one lung, which would weaken his chances. However, his supporters, especially Cardinal Maradiaga,
turned to Bergoglio to verify his health condition and learned the truth. These
clarifications brought great relief to Bergoglio and those around him. At that
moment, through the signs and the reactions of the cardinals near him,
Bergoglio began to feel that he would indeed be elected. In his own words, he
felt “a deep peace and calm, even though it was a complete surprise.” That
peace carried over into his short rest after lunch, reflecting his calm,
determined, and faith-filled character. Meanwhile, other cardinals were also
making their preparations for the election: For example, Cardinal Tong had
brought a special gift to present to the new pope.
 |
| Apostolic Palace A view of the palace from Saint Peter's Square |
When the cardinals entered the
fourth ballot, Bergoglio was in the lead with 67 votes, followed by Scola with
32 and Ouellet with 13. As a surprise name, Agostino Vallini received two
votes, but this last-minute move could not stop Bergoglio’s advance.
In the fifth ballot, one cardinal
accidentally glued two ballots together, making the total 116 instead of 115,
and the result was declared invalid. However, everything returned to normal in
the sixth ballot, and Bergoglio surpassed the required 77 votes, winning with
85. The excitement reflected in the Cardinals’ faces, their silence, and their
prayers revealed the sacredness of this historic moment.
Elected as the first Latin American
and the first Jesuit pope, Bergoglio embraced Scola right after the vote; history
had been made. The joy inside and the cheers outside merged; people from all
over the world were eager to greet their new pope.
When asked about his election, Bergoglio said in Latin: “I am a great sinner, trusting in the mercy of God, I accept in suffering.”
Then he announced his papal name: Francesco.
This name, honouring Saint Francis of Assisi, symbolized the ideals of poverty,
peace, and care for creation.
The rituals continued: the master
of ceremonies prepared the documents, and Bergoglio removed his cardinal robes
and changed into the white cassock. Yet he did not follow every tradition; he
refused the golden cross and red shoes, chose not to wear the mozzetta,
and kept his own black shoes instead. Cardinals Sandri and Gracias watched his
calm and steady steps; Francis, dressed in white, walked into the room and into
history.
This moment was more than just an
election; through his choice and his name, the new pope sent a message to the
world: the Church would stand with the poor and defend peace and justice.
At 8:12 p.m., Cardinal Tauran gave
the joyful news to the world in Latin: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum,
habemus papam!” (I announce to you a great joy, we have a pope!)
.%20It%20is%20Jesus%20Christ%20Himself%20who%20drives%20us%20(1).png)
Jorge Mario Bergoglio/Pope Francis.
The square and millions watching
around the world erupted in emotion: applause, tears, and a social media storm
under the hashtag #HabemusPapam.
While people in Argentina
overflowed with joy, the Italian media was stunned everyone had expected Scola,
yet Francis was the surprise.
With his very first words, “Fratelli e sorelle,
buona sera!” (Brothers and sisters, good evening!), he instantly won
hearts. He introduced himself simply as “the bishop,” not with grand titles,
and unlike his predecessors, he invited the people to pray with him. When giving the blessing, he
remained humble, asking the crowd to pray for him first.
He soon
called Benedict XVI to speak with him by phone; then, as he returned to Santa
Marta, he declined the limousine and instead took the bus with the other cardinals.
He thanked them all and, with his usual touch of humour, said, “May God forgive
you.”
Up to this point, we have seen the
story as an overview. Now, we will read to this journey again through the late pope’s own words, from
his book.
Then, on the day of my election, March 13, after spending the morning in
the Sistine Chapel for the votes, I received three very clear signals.I should
explain that we were all sleeping at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, St. Martha’s
House, during the days of the conclave, in order to avoid any contact with the
outside world. We all went back there for lunch, and before the meal I went up
to the fifth floor, to the room of Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino, archbishop
of Havana, who had asked me for a copy of the speech I made during the general
congregation. I took him the transcript, apologizing because it was handwritten
and telling him I didn’t have any photocopies. And he said to me, “Ah, how
wonderful. I’m taking home a souvenir of the new pope.” And this was the first
signal, but I didn’t understand that yet. I took the elevator down to my own
floor, the second, but at the fourth it stopped and Cardinal Francisco
Errázuriz, archbishop emeritus of Santiago, came in. I had known him since my
Aparecida days.
“Have you prepared your speech?” he asked.
“What speech?” I replied, intrigued.
“Today’s—the one you’ll have to make when you appear on the central
loggia of the basilica,” was his answer.And that was the second signal, but I
didn’t understand this time either.
I went down to lunch and entered the room with Cardinal Leonardo Sandri. A few
European cardinals who were already in the room said to me, “Come, Your
Eminence, come over here and tell us about Latin America.” I thought nothing of
it and accepted their invitation, but they gave me a thorough grilling. At the
end of the meal, as I was leaving, Cardinal Santos Abril y Castelló, whom I had
known well when he was the papal nuncio in Argentina, came up to me.
He asked, “Forgive the question, Your Eminence, but is it true that you
are missing a lung?”
“No, it’s not true,” I replied. “Only the upper lobe of my right lung is
missing.”
“When did this happen?” he continued.
“In 1957, when I was twenty-one,”
I told him. He looked serious and remarked, in a somewhat irritated
tone, “These last-minute moves!” And that was the precise moment I realized the
cardinals were thinking about me as a successor to Pope Benedict XVI. That
afternoon we went back into conclave. I found the Italian cardinal Gianfranco
Ravasi in front of the Sistine Chapel, and we stopped to talk because during my
studies I had always used his editions of the sapiential, or poetic, books of
the Bible, particularly the book of Job.
I was nearly elected on the first ballot, and at that stage the Brazilian cardinal Cláudio Hummes approached me and said, “Don’t be afraid! This is how the Holy Spirit works.” And then, on the third ballot of the afternoon, when the seventy-seventh vote was counted and my name had received two-thirds of the electors’ votes, everyone applauded for a long time. While the ballot papers were being scrutinized, Hummes came over to me again, kissed me, and said the words that have stayed in my heart and mind ever since: “Don’t forget the poor.”
PART 1: In
Bergoglio’s Shadow: The Conclave After Ratzinger
PART 2: Bergoglio's
Rising: Conclave is starting (2013) Part II
