By Ruth Cabal
(April 23, 2025) — I saw white smoke from the Vatican!
For Catholics who are familiar with the traditional and highly secretive conclave or selection of a new pope, the white smoke signifies the election of the leader of the 1.3 billion-strong church.
It’s the smoke coming out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals participating in the conclave are sequestered. The smoke is their way of communicating to the outside world.
Following the death of Pope Francis, the College of Cardinals is expected to convene for the conclave in 15-20 days.
The last conclave was in 2013, when Pope Benedict XVI resigned. It was historic, because it was not done, traditionally, after the death of a pope. Pope Benedict was the first pontiff to resign in almost 600 years.
I witnessed history, when I was assigned to cover the conclave.
‘Locked with a key’
My cameraman and I arrived at the Vatican on the morning of March 12, the first day of the conclave. Walking towards St. Peter’s Basilica, through the main road, Via della Conciliazione (Road of Reconciliation), I was overwhelmed with how big the church is, even from afar. As I got closer, it was even more imposing and grandiose, flaunting the power and authority it symbolizes.
Already, a crowd had gathered at St. Peter’s Square, in front of the church. The square was bustling with reporters too, going around trying to get their stories. The Vatican Press Office said nearly 5,000 media personnel from different countries were given accreditation. Some reporters followed cardinal-electors to try to get an interview, but they were mostly turned away. Towards the back of the plaza, the media tents were set up. This was where I would do my live reports, with the backdrop of the basilica.
On the first day, there was a mass as well as other ceremonies in the morning. The most iconic was the closing of the doors of the Sistine Chapel. Conclave in Latin means “locked with a key,” as the cardinals are locked-in, with no outside communication to ensure that everything will be done in total secrecy, as prescribed in the Apostolic Constitution.
There was only one voting held that day. Black smoke was emitted from the chapel’s chimney, meaning the vote was inconclusive.
A two-thirds majority vote is needed to elect a new pope. The cardinal-electors will keep on voting until they reach a consensus, as signified by white smoke. There are two rounds of votes in the morning and another two in the afternoon.
On the second day, March 13, it rained a lot. It was very cold too. But many still converged on the square. I remember one of the locals I talked to said, this could be the day a new pope will be named because of the bad weather. I never really understood it, but later it would make sense.
Two ballots in the morning all emitted black smoke, as well as the first afternoon ballot.
Past seven in the evening, more people turned out at the square, including a group of Filipino devotees holding up our flag.
While waiting for the last ballot of the day, some were praying. Others were just quiet. I was on standby for a phonepatch report while reviewing my notes about the papabili or “pope-able,” cardinals favored to become pope. I thought, I had to be ready in case there was an announcement tonight.
Then, smoke began to come out of the chimney. This time, I noticed a grayish smoke at first. A few seconds later… white smoke! Habemus Papam! Everyone at the square was cheering and clapping, hugging one another. Many were emotional.
The basilica’s bells rang. I noticed how the rains suddenly stopped, as if signalling that finally all will be well. The heavens aren’t crying anymore because the Catholic Church now has a new leader – the Supreme Pontiff. Soon enough, the whole square was filled with people. I squeezed my way to the front of the crowd to have a good view of the loggia or open balcony, where the formal announcement will be made and the new pope will be presented.
The protodeacon of the College of Cardinals came out of the balcony to declare, “Habemus Papam!” (We have a Pope!) Because it was in Italian, I can only make out the words “Bergoglio” and “Francesco.” Looking at my notes, I saw his name – the new Pope is Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and he wanted to be called Francesco.
We had to wait a few minutes to meet the new pope. People were already chanting “Francesco, Francesco!” Everytime they sensed movement behind the red curtains at the balcony, they would cheer and clap excitedly. Finally, the curtains opened and Pope Francis came out, dressed in a white cassock. He was waving at us! Again, there were deafening cheers.
Habemus papam!
I had goosebumps. It was surreal to be there and witness the first appearance of the new Pope. While my cameraman was shooting, I was taking pictures with my digital camera. But the front of the basilica was barricaded so we were a bit far from the loggia and I had to zoom in my shot. I would sometimes glance at the big screen to see the Pope’s face. It was “maamo” or gentle, like you could sense he was enveloped with goodness. He often smiled while he talked as if he was just having a casual conversation with thousands in front of him.
The Pope spoke in Italian. I asked the seminarians beside me to translate what he was saying. He started by asking for prayers for then Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Before he gave his blessing, he said he has a favor to ask – that we pray for him first, in silence. Many would view this gesture of humility, including his choice of simple wardrobe (instead of the traditional fur-trimmed cape for newly-elected pontiffs), as a sign of the direction and character of his papacy.
A few days later, I would be lucky enough to attend his audience with the media. Here, he explained why he chose the name Francesco. After his election, there were a few suggestions for his name, among them Hadrian and Clement. A cardinal, who is a close friend, told him not to forget the poor, “And those words came to me: the poor, the poor… That is how the name came into my heart: Francis of Assisi. For me, he is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation… How I would like a Church which is poor and for the poor!”
Conclave today
Fr. Greg Gaston, Rector of Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome, said the conclave will be held 15-20 days after the death of the Pope.
Out of 252 cardinals, 135 are eligible to vote, according to Vatican data. They are cardinals under 80 years-old. There are three electors from the Philippines: Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula, Caloocan Bishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who is currently Pro Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization.
Tagle had been considered a papabile since the 2013 conclave. But some said he was still too young then.
Now, at age 67, several news sites including Time Magazine, Washington Post and the New York Post, have tagged him again as likely to become pope. Some articles cited The College of Cardinals Report where Tagle and 21 other cardinals were listed as papabili. According to its website, the list of papabili is based on consultation with Vatican experts and others. The report describes Tagle as the “Asian Francis” because he is seen as having similar attributes and beliefs with Pope Francis.
When asked about Tagle’s chances, Gascon told News5 that as priests who studied for years, they know very well how the new pontiff is chosen, “May further specialization kami on theology, philosophy, Canon Law, lahat ‘yan. Kaya very clear sa amin na ang pipili talaga ng pope ay ‘yung Holy Spirit.” (It’s very clear to us that the one who chooses the pope is the Holy Spirit.”)
Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – Commission on Public Affairs echoes how the cardinals invoke divine guidance during conclave. In an interview with One News, he appealed to Filipinos not to get ahead of the sacred process, “Pakiusap ko na lang din baka sa sobrang ibinibida natin si Cardinal Tagle, baka mag-boomerang pa sa ‘tin. Let the death of the pope be the main issue, the election of the pope and the qualities of the pope be the main issue, not just the personalities.” (“My appeal is that if we build up Cardinal Tagle too much, it can boomerang against us…”)
But who can blame Asia’s biggest Catholic country for such wishful thinking?
I remember very well my interview with a Filipina after the 2013 conclave. She said she wasn’t sad that Cardinal Tagle was not elected pope. She considers it a blessing in disguise because the Philippines still needs him. Now, is this the right time to have the first Asian Pope?
