Blog: I was there when the white smoke rose, Pope was chosen

Vatican City: It poured in Vatican City all day on March 13, and yet the crowds waited quietly and patiently in the cold in St Peter's square. The historic moment when the white smoke goes out of the chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel, is something everyone wanted to witness.  I was there too, and here's how it all unfolded.

4:00 pm: Crowds began to get thicker in the square. There were a cheerful group of sisters of Missionaries of Charities. Many Indian students studying theology or liturgy or canon law were scattered in the huge crowd that kept a vigil in front of St Peter's Basilica.

A group of priests from Kerala sang Malayalam hymns as they waited, prompted by NDTV after we heard a group of Italian priests singing. The mass that preceded the conclave had a Malayalam prayer too making some Indians very proud. Some said the smoke will be black and the conclave will stretch through the week. Others said they expect the smoke to be white and the new pope to be announced.

A sea-gull flew in and perched itself on top of the chimney for a long time, oblivious that several billion people were keeping an eye on it.
 
7:06 pm: We saw the white smoke go up. There was first, a big buzz and then a loud cheer went up in the air with a sea of people rushing towards St Peter's Basilica to get closer to the balcony where the name of the new Pope would be announced after which the newly elected leader would step out and speak. An Indian priest said to NDTV "I've been here since this morning. The weather is so bad but the news is so happy" Another said, "it's a happy event no matter who steps out in the balcony tonight."

The crowd waited eagerly for the name to be revealed. All eyes were on the central balcony of the St Peter's basilica - the external Loggia of the Hall of Blessings of the Vatican Basilica.

The Swiss Guards, in full military regalia marched into the square and stood under the Loggia. The Holy See marching band accompanied the wait.

The window with red curtains remained still. It took more than an hour before the lights came on and the curtains were drawn.
 
8:12 pm: The proto-deacon Jean-Louis Tauran stepped on to the Loggia to say the eagerly awaited words in Latin-  "Habemus Papum! We have a Pope."

Cardinal Bergoglio is announced the new Pope and he has taken on the name Francis.

The crowd began to cheer loudly "Francesco, Francesco". Some were shouting with joy, others just bewildered and happy to be witnessing this occasion. Many were overwhelmed with tears in their eyes.

8:24 pm: "The Holy Father Francis" appeared at the Loggia of the Vatican Basilica to impart the "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) apostolic blessing. He greeted the enormous cheering crowd that had been gathering in the cold and rain saying :

"Dear brothers and sisters, good evening. You know that the duty of the Conclave was to give Rome a bishop. It seems that my brother cardinals picked him from almost the ends of the earth. (Crowd broke into laughter) But here we are! I thank you for the warm welcome. The diocesan community of Rome has its bishop. Thank you! First and foremost I would like to say a prayer for our Bishop Emeritus Benedict XVI. Let us pray together for him, that the Lord bless him and the Virgin keep him."

(After leading the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Gloria, Pope Francis again addressed the crowd)

"And now let us begin this journey, bishop and people, this journey of the Church of Rome, which is the one that leads all the churches in charity. A journey of fraternity, of trust between us. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the world so that this might be a great brotherhood. I hope that this journey of the Church that we begin today, and in which my Cardinal Vicar here present will assist me, will be fruitful for the evangelization of this beautiful city."

"Now I would like to impart the blessing, but first, first I ask a favour of you. Before the bishop blesses the people, I ask that you pray to the Lord that He bless me: the prayer of the people asking a blessing for their bishop. Let us pray in silence, this is your prayer for me."

"Now I will impart the blessing to you and all the world, to all men and women of good will."

(After imparting the apostolic blessing Pope Francis continued)

"Brothers and sisters, I take my leave. Thank you for your warm welcome. Tomorrow I'm going to pray to the Virgin, that she will safeguard all of Rome. Good night and rest well."

Night of celebrations in the square
The Pope is not Asian but that did not prevent a group of Indians from waving a huge Indian flag. They were dancing with joy, waving the flags and taking pictures.

Father Chilton George Fernandez, Diocese of Cochin said ... "we never heard that name during the speculation. Someone said he is from Argentina.... That is the Holy Spirit's gift to the world. Francesco is the new shepherd for the whole humanity. Viva il Papa."

Another priest, Father Jude Sebastian added,  "what makes me specially happy is the name that he has chosen. Francis: a man who was known for his simplicity, poverty, love for nature a thousand years before our time. A man of peace, a man who built great bridges with Islam. A man who rebuilt the church."

They chanted an English hymn and ended it with loud cheer of "Jai Hind"