As Catholics across the globe wait with bated breath for the public appearance of the newly elected pope, reflections on his predecessor’s humble approach to papal tradition—and speculation about who will carry the torch forward—reveal a Church at a crossroads between centuries-old customs and evolving expectations.
Pope Francis, elected in 2013, redefined the image of the papacy with a disarming simplicity that resonated worldwide.
From the outset, he broke with a number of Vatican customs to emphasize humility over grandeur.
He declined the traditional red mozzetta and appeared before the faithful in a plain white cassock, retaining his modest silver pectoral cross and everyday black shoes.
He briefly donned the ornate red stole for the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing—and promptly removed it afterward, a gesture that symbolized his vision of a more grounded, servant-led papacy.
Even the historic papal tiara, once a dominant symbol of papal authority, remained untouched under Francis, echoing a choice first made by Pope Paul VI in the 1960s.
These deliberate departures were not simply fashion statements; they reflected a deeply rooted theological and pastoral shift, aimed at re-centering the Church on service to the marginalized and dialogue with the modern world.
A Swift Conclave
The 2025 papal conclave, convened after Pope Francis' death on April 21, 2025, mirrored the efficient and unified process seen in 2005.
In just two days and four ballots—beginning on May 7 and concluding on May 8—133 cardinal electors from across the globe settled on the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.
This brisk decision-making stood in stark contrast to the nearly three-year conclave of 1268–1271, which ultimately led to the election of Pope Gregory X and the subsequent streamlining of conclave rules.
Security was tight, as always, with cardinals secluded in the Domus Sanctae Marthae and shielded from the outside world by strict protocols and signal jammers.
At exactly 7:08pm local time on May 8, white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel confirmed that a new pope had been chosen.
Who Could Be the New Pope?
While the identity of the new pope has yet to be officially revealed, speculation has swirled around several key figures who entered the conclave as strong contenders:
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines): A prominent figure known for his pastoral warmth and alignment with Francis’ emphasis on humility and service.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy): A seasoned mediator with progressive stances, seen as someone likely to continue Francis’ social justice agenda.
Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson (Ghana): A voice for the Global South, with a strong record on economic inequality, peacebuilding, and climate change.
Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline (France): A theologian and interfaith advocate, representing a Europe wrestling with secularism and multiculturalism.
Whether the new pope will embrace the humble style of Francis or revive more traditional symbols of papal authority remains a closely watched question. Some observers believe the Church may choose a pontiff who reintroduces a touch of papal formality to restore a sense of timeless grandeur.
Others argue that Francis’ populist legacy is now so embedded that any successor would risk alienating the faithful by reversing course.
As bells rang joyfully from the towers of St. Peter’s Basilica, thousands of faithful flooded into St. Peter’s Square, many holding rosaries, flags, and smartphones as they chanted and sang in celebration of this sacred moment.
Catholics from every continent remain glued to their screens, awaiting the moment when Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti will step onto the central balcony to announce: “Habemus Papam”—“We have a pope.”
The question that lingers is not just who he is, but what kind of leader he will be. Will he walk the humble path of Francis? Or carve out a new vision for the Church in a complex, divided world?
For now, anticipation builds. And as the new pontiff prepares to deliver his first Urbi et Orbi blessing, the hearts of over a billion Catholics are united in one spirit: hope.