A groundbreaking moment happened on March 13 when white smoke was seen coming out of the Vatican, meaning the Cardinals have chosen a new Pope.
After the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on Feb. 28, white smoke was seen billowing from the Vatican chimney in Rome, meaning only one thing: a new Pope has been chosen. It took the Cardinals four rounds of voting in the secret conclave to pick the new leader of the Catholic church, and an announcement will be made within one hour.
White Smoke Seen At The Vatican In Rome — New Pope Chosen
On March 13 at 8pm local time white smoke began to billow from the Sistine chapel chimney, and the thousands of people waiting at St. Peter’s Square began to cheer, shout and pray at the announcement, reports USA Today.
The 115 voting cardinals took four or five votes over two days to reach their decision, which required a two-thirds majority and came after a week of intense meetings.
The new Pope will greet the crowds from the Sistine Chapel balcony within the hour.
This is a momentous occasion, as this is the first time has been voted in following a resignation. Pope Benedict XVI stepped down due to his advancing age last month.
Pope Benedict XVI’s Statement Of Resignation:
Dear Brothers,
I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church.
After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.
I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.
However, in today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.
For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.
Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects.
And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff.
With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.
What do YOU think HollywoodLifers? Who will be the new pope?
WATCH: Conclave 2013: While Awaiting White Pope Smoke, Pondering Church’s Global Role
– Eleanore Hutch
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