Since 533, popes have taken regnal names different from
their birth names. The pope-elect will declare his new name at this point. He
then enters the Room of Tears, a small red room beside the chapel. He has a few
moments to collect himself and change into pontifical robes. Up until John Paul
I, new popes were crowned with the triregnum, the triple tiara, in a papal
coronation. The last four popes have opted instead for a simpler inauguration ceremony.
The protodeacon of the College of Cardinals then appears on
the balcony of St. Peter’s and declares “Habemus Papam! (We have a pope!)” and
announces the cardinal’s given name followed by his new papal name. The new
pope then emerges on the balcony and is greeted as pope for the first time.
The most recent popes have addressed the crowd at this time, giving a short speech and setting the tone for their papacy. The new pope then gives his first Urbi et Orbi blessing. Urbi et Orbi means "to the City [of Rome] and the World, and is a special papal blessing usually given at Christmas and Easter.
I, with the rest of the world, am excited to see who the new
pope will be, what name he will take, and what his mission will be in guiding
the Church through this current climate. I pray for a man dedicated to being a
true pontiff, bridge-builder, one who is clear on theology and on the Church’s
mission of drawing all to Christ through mercy, love, and hope. I also hope
that I will be able to see this new pope at a papal audience when I am in Rome
next month.
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