First Impressions of Papa Francesco

It is evening in Rome, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. White smoke issues forth from the makeshift chimney of the Sistine Chapel. All the bells of Rome begin to toll. Soon, the bells of churches all over the world begin to toll. The Catholic Church has a Pope.

While people in Rome fill St. Peter’s Square, people all over the world flock to the nearest television, just waiting to see who this Pope is. The Cardinal-electors have been in the conclave since the day before. No communication with the outside world is allowed to pass in or out of the conclave. The proceedings are a total mystery. Sure, the media has knocked about a few names of potential “candidates” for the papacy, but there is no way to know who God will have in mind as Pope. So the world waits in anticipation.

About an hour later, a Cardinal comes out on the balcony that the gaze of the world is fixed upon. He pronounces those famous and joyous words, “Habemus Papam”, “We have a Pope.” The name he announces, is unfamiliar to many, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now called Pope Francis. That wasn’t a name mentioned very often in the media, who is this man? The world continues to wonder.

Soon, the world is taking its first look at Pope Francis. He steps out onto the balcony of the basilica, and for the longest time, he just stands there, staring down at the crowd, which erupts in cheers.

And then he speaks.

His words won me over from the beginning. He immediately displayed his good sense of humor and his humility at the same time. His first words were to joke that his “brother cardinals went almost to the ends of the earth” to find a new pope.

He then led the world in prayer for his predecessor, Benedict XVI, the pope-emeritus. He used simple prayers, such as the Our Father and Hail Mary, prayers that all Catholics could participate in.

Then came the most astonishing part. After saying a few more words, he told the crowd gathered that he would give his blessing, but first he wanted the people to pray for blessings on him. In a stunning moment, he asked for silent prayer from the people, and then bowed as the world prayed for him. For me, personally, that was the most touching moment of his short address. The image of the Holy Father, bowing to receive the prayers of the Church that he has been called upon to serve as the earthly leader for, will stand out in my mind for a long time. His humility in that moment completely won me over, and all I have heard about him since has only served further to cement my love for our new Holy Father, Papa Francesco!