In a change to past papal elections, the new Pope will have the chance
to adore Jesus in the Eucharist before he makes his appearance on the
central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Vatican press office director Father Federico Lombardi told journalists
March 11 that, “when the Pope goes to the loggia, he passes the Pauline
Chapel and will stop there for a brief moment of personal prayer and
silence in front of the Blessed Sacrament.”
The Vatican press office was buzzing with journalists looking for news
about the March 12 Conclave, which will begin at around 5:00 in the
evening.
Before looking ahead to the voting, Fr. Lombardi reviewed the cardinals final general meeting, which was held this morning.
The cardinals made 28 interventions before the assembly voted to end
their meetings, given that the Conclave will begin on Tuesday.
Fr. Lombardi reminded the media of the general schedule for the Conclave
and then later walked through the ceremony that occurs immediately
after a new Pope is chosen.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the cardinal deacon, will ask the
candidate if he accepts his “canonical election as Supreme Pontiff” and
what name will use.
If he says yes, then white smoke is sent up while the Pope goes to the
Room of Tears, vests in his papal garments and then returns to the
Sistine Chapel.
The cardinals then hold a small ceremony that involves prayer, reading
the Scriptures and a time for the cardinals to offer their
congratulations to the new Pope.
This is followed by the singing of the Te Deum, the Church’s traditional
hymn of thanks to God, and a procession out of the chapel.
As the new Pope makes his way between the Sistine Chapel and the balcony
where he is presented to the people, he will stop for a brief moment of
personal prayer and adoration in the Pauline Chapel.
Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran will then introduce the new Pope with the
famous Latin words “Habemus papam!” This will be followed by the name he
has picked.
The total amount of time that will lapse between the appearance of the
white smoke and the Pope’s appearance on St. Peter’s balcony will be
about 50 minutes.