Anticipation Builds in St. Peter’s Square

The Wait for a New Pope Continues

Anticipation had been building in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday morning as people started to think in earnest that the cardinals would elect a new pope. But when the first smoke of the day came, just before noon, it was black — indicating that there was still no consensus inside the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals were voting.

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High Hopes for White Smoke

Because the past two conclaves to elect Francis and Benedict XVI lasted two days, many of the faithful and tourists milling around the square as a light morning rain turned into bright sunshine said they expected white smoke on Thursday but not until the evening.

• Many expected white smoke in the evening
• Black smoke at noon surprised the crowd
• Cellphones trained on giant screens for updates

International Visitors Share Their Expectations

Judith Duru, a nursing student from Nigeria, expressed her trust in the cardinals to select a pope who can care for the people. She filmed the smoke on the screen, emphasizing that the pope’s origin did not matter as long as he had a good heart.

• Hope for a pope who can understand and care for the people
• Origin of the pope not a deciding factor for some
• Trust in the cardinals’ decision-making process

Devoted Followers Prepare for a Long Wait

Despite the black smoke, many visitors planned to remain in St. Peter’s Square throughout the day in anticipation of the white smoke.

• International crowd with flags from across the world
• Some visitors prepared to stay all day
• Devoted followers hope for a swift election

International Visitors Share Their Views

Hopes for Continuation of Francis’ Work

Joaquín Cáceres and Lucía Pérez, Argentines living in Spain, shared their wager on the timing of the smoke, expressing their desire for the new pope to continue Francis’ work.

• Wager on the timing of the smoke
• Desire for continuity in the new pope’s work
• Hope for a pope who follows in Francis’ footsteps

Expectations and Preparations

Visitors like Philipp and Kathrin Wilmes from Germany and Maciej Czaharyn from Iceland shared their experiences and preparations for the long wait in the square.

• Visitors share their experiences and preparations
• Hope for an election before their departure
• Willingness to wait for the white smoke

Youthful Enthusiasm for a Charismatic Pope

Flavia Valle, a young Italian, expressed her excitement at the prospect of seeing the new pope and her hope for a charismatic leader like Francis.

• Skipping school to witness the election
• Desire for a pope who connects with the youth
• Hope for a charismatic leader to emerge