April 24, 2005

Cardinal George is in Rome for the conclave to elect a new pope. This column is written by Father George Rassas, archdiocesan vicar general.



“We have a Pope!”
by Father George Rassas

These were words that the anxious crowd was waiting to hear! The news spread throughout the City of Rome that white smoke had finally appeared from the small chimney affixed to the roof of the Sistine Chapel, high and to the right of the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica on that warm night of Oct. 16, 1978. (By the time you read these words the world may have heard once again the same message spoken in the same way, “We have a pope!”) Thus began the pontificate of our beloved Pope John Paul II.

That year, 1978, has been referred to as “The Year of Three Popes.” Pope Paul VI died on Aug. 6. In the usual procedure, his successor was elected and took the name Pope John Paul I. Again, the world was stunned to hear the tragic news of his sudden death after only 33 days as the successor of St. Peter and the Vicar of Christ on Earth. Once again, the cardinals gathered in Rome for his funeral and for the election of his successor. Few people realized that history would be in the making.

Along with a group of pilgrims from the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women, Father David Cortesi and I were on a tour of Italy during that very same time. With the cardinals already in conclave, I left the group in Milan and journeyed to Rome to observe the events as they would unfold in St. Peter’s Square. Voting began on Sunday morning and continued that afternoon. Black smoke curled out of the chimney as the ballots were burned—indicating to the waiting crowd that the election would continue until a new Pope would be chosen. On Monday at midday the result was again the same. More black smoke.

On that evening, a somewhat larger crowd had gathered to take advantage of the beautiful fall weather. Dusk had settled when the first wisps of smoke began to appear from the chimney. At first the color was black and the crowd was disappointed. But soon, however, the color began to change to white, and more and more smoke poured forth. Cheers broke out and, as the news spread through the city, the crowd began to grow larger and larger by the minute.

The Swiss Guards made their ceremonial entrance into the huge square followed by several other bands, honor guards from the military and the civic organizations of Rome itself. All eyes were turned toward the center window over the main entrance of the basilica. All ears, minds and hearts awaited those solemn words, “We have a pope!”

Imagine the surprise when Cardinal Felice announced, “Habemus papam! We have a pope!,” and it was Cardinal Karol Wojtyla of Poland.

People in the crowd looked at one another wondering who this was, as it became clear that for the first time in more than 450 years that the church would have a non-Italian pope.

I remember standing between two small groups who I presumed were theology students. One group began asking each other in Italian, “Bologna? Bologna? To which came the response from the other in a heavy eastern European accent, “No, No, No!! Polonia!! Polonia!!” The crowd was stunned. Who was the stranger from the east who had been elected to occupy the Chair of Peter? More anxious moments would pass until once again the window would open and, proceeded by the College of Cardinals who elected him, Pope John Paul II came out to meet the crowd.

His first words, as I remember, “Praised be Jesus Christ,” were met by polite applause that soon turned into mild cheers as he spoke in Italian to the crowd of Romans. His message continued, “I am coming to you from a far away country—far away in distance but close in the communion of our faith. I don’t know whether I can express myself clearly in your—excuse me—in our language. If I make a mistake you can correct me.”

The cheers from the crowd erupted again and again until the familiar phrase in any language began to be shouted, “Viva il Papa! Viva il Papa!” After receiving his first papal blessing the crowd began to disperse. Indeed, “We have a Pope.” St. Peter’s Basilica was bathed in bright light and the full moon was rising over the city of Rome.

By the time the crowd was leaving the square, freshly printed copies of the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, were available with a full-page photo of the new pope. The bridge across the Tiber and the ramparts of the Castel Sant’Angelo held lighted candles. The City of Rome had a new bishop and the Universal Church had a new Holy Father.

Our time in Rome allowed our group to be present for the Mass of Installation and the first general audience of the newly elected pope. These past 26 years have indeed and in so many ways been years of change and growth for the church and for our whole world under the leadership of this great man whom we know as John Paul II. In his years as our Holy Father he has been faithful to his motto, “Totus Tuus” (“I am Entirely in Your Hands”). He is truly worthy of the title “Servant of the Servants of God.”

As this is being published, the cardinals of the church are in conclave to choose his successor. While we can only observe the process from the outside, we will wait with eager anticipation for the news once again to be shared with us and with the whole world, “Habemus papam! We have a pope!” With the advances in modern technology, we will receive the news instantly and will meet the one chosen to lead the church into the future. While you and I my not be able to be there in person, I am sure that our interest and eager anticipation will lead us to welcome our new Holy Father with our prayers and best wishes in his role of bishop of Rome and pope of the Universal Church. May his reign be as that of his many predecessors—a true “Servant of the Servants of God.”

Cardinal George asked for our prayers leading up to and during the conclave for the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Upon his return to Chicago, I am sure he will have many of his own reflections to share with us. I know that you, like me, will look forward to that.

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