White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on March 13th, signifying to the world that the cardinals of the Catholic Church had selected a new Pope. Over 150,000 spectators eagerly watched as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, taking the name Pope Francis, stepped onto the balcony of the Vatican to address the crowd. Habemus Papam – we have a Pope!
Bergoglio is originally from Argentina, making him the first pontiff from Latin America and the first non-European of the modern era to head the Catholic Church. He is also the first Jesuit to assume the position of Pope. After his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, suddenly stepped down and resigned his role as Pope in February, there was much discussion as to who would be his successor. With a plethora of problems facing the church, criteria for the next leader was heavily discussed by the cardinals, who made their decision on the fifth round of voting on Wednesday, March 13th. Pope Francis will be formally installed as pope on Tuesday, March 19th on the Feast of St. Joseph, which celebrates the patron saint of Italy.
Pope Francis honors Saint Francis by taking his name, and is in fact the first Pope to do so in history. St. Francis of Assisi is a highly celebrated figure in the Catholic Church, recognized and praised for his work with the poor. The name ‘Francis’ stands for humility, poverty, simplicity, and rebuilding the Catholic Church. With over 42% of the world’s Catholics living in Latin America, Bergoglio’s election serves as a step in the right direction to unite people of faith around the world in both first and developing world countries.
It is important to remember that the Vatican Gardens are closed at this time until further notice, to accommodate for this momentous event. The Sistine Chapel will open march 18. The rest of the Vatican Museums are still open for general entrance and group or private tours during this time. If you have the chance to visit Rome or Vatican City within the next few weeks, seize the opportunity and be a part of history. It will surely be an unforgettable experience!
If you are interested in visiting the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, or other museums in Rome, please contact ItalyTravels to speak with a tour operator specialized in organizing cultural events. You can call (+0039) 055 2670402 or send an email to info@italy-travels.it
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