It was a cold and rainy night,
but that cliche didn't stop tens of thousands of people from pouring in
to St. Peter's Square to keep their eyes on a tiny chimney high atop a
tiled roof.
Because of the inclement weather, most people didn't get to the square
until about 30 minutes before smoke was expected to billow from a set of
stoves in the Sistine Chapel, where 115 cardinal electors had gathered
for the first round of voting March 12.
By 7 p.m., the square was largely full, many armed with umbrellas
against the drizzle, some jumping up and down to keep their blood
flowing in the chill. Some draped their nation's flag over their backs
and around their necks for added warmth.
The actual chimney was largely obscured in the dark, but large TV
screens dotted around the square gave people a bright, close-up look.
Marist Father James Williams, who is studying in Rome at the Pontifical
University of St. Thomas, known as the Angelicum, noted that "in an age
of instant communication, there is a great comfort in knowing that
everyone is staring at a smokestack."
He said the process of electing a pope reflected the "continuity and consistency in God that we sometimes forget."
The Long Island priest said he and his classmates had arranged that if
anyone got the text message "W.S" for white smoke, they were to spread
the word and run down to St. Peter's Square.
Having a chimney and not a loudspeaker make the announcement "adds to
the mystery; it's more exciting," said Sarah Kisby from Ipswich,
England.
A small group of young women from Japan sang "Halleluiah," while a more
boisterous group yelled happily "Hey, let's go!" Sporadic shouts and
cheers sent shock waves through the crowds as people thought they were a
signal for smoke.
But that would have to wait a while.
"For us, there is no excuse to not be here in the square," said Deacon
Spencer Howe of the Archdiocese of St. Paul, Minn., who is studying at
the Pontifical North American College not far from St. Peter's.
"You can really feel the energy tonight. Like Pope Benedict said (before
his retirement Feb. 28), the church really lives, and you can see that
here right now. People really have a desire to have and be led by a
shepherd," he said.
Only a few people brought young children, and a few had dogs on leashes.
Priests, religious sisters and TV crews mingled with teenage groups
across the square.
Some groups quietly said the rosary; some big groups sang and waved
flags from Poland and Brazil. Farther back in the crowd, people were
texting and talking on cellphones while they waited for the smoke to
appear.
"I'm here to stand in prayer: I know it will not be easy (for the new
pope) to accept this position. I am also praying for all those who are
voting," said Sister Regina, a School Sister of St. Francis, who said
the rosary with Sister Kveta while they waited.
Suddenly, at 7:41 p.m., huge clouds of thick black smoke came pouring
out of the chimney, sending people rushing toward the screens with their
cameras for a closer shot.
"Now that's definitely black," said one woman as she leaned on her husband, tired from standing for so long.
The square cleared out fast, although the smoke flowed for about seven minutes.
Kisby said she and her husband, Oliver, "knew the smoke would be black,
but that's OK. It was still an opportunity too good to miss."