Now that the white smoke is finally floated by the fireplace above the Sistine chapel to report that a new pope has been chosen, there will still be a short wait before the identity of the next pontiff becomes clear.
Based on what happened when Pope Francis was elected in 2013, it probably takes at least an hour before the designated cardinal appears on a balcony of the Basilica of San Pietro to announce, in Latin, “Annunio Vobis Gaudium Magnum: Habemus Papam” – “I announce a great joy: we have a Pope.”
The cardinal (for this reason, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti of France is therefore announced the identity of the chosen Pope and the name he will adopt as a pontiff. The last time, Francis came out on the balcony about 10 minutes after the announcement of his identity.
(If Cardinal Mamberti were chosen as Pope, the announcement will be made by Cardinal Mario Zenari of Italy.)
Within the Apostolic Palace, which contains the Sistine Chapel, in the meantime there will be an outbreak of activities, according to the rules established in a 1996 Vatican document.
Archbishop Diego Ravelli, in his role as a master of papal liturgical celebrations, will develop a document that certifies that the elected cardinal has agreed to become bishop of the church of Rome, True Pope and head of the college of bishops. If the new pope was not a bishop, he will be immediately ordered.
According to the rules, the voting cardinals “therefore approach the Pope who was just elected in the prescribed way, in order to make an act of tribute and obedience”.
The pope will subsequently be brought to the tears room, a small room just outside the Sistine chapel, where he will put the white papal cassock for the first time. Three -sized clothing are prepared and kept in the room as nobody knows who the next Pope will be. Shoes are also available in various sizes. (The tears room acquired its name due to the reports of the previous Popes who were overwhelmed by emotion in the room after their elections.)
It is only after the Pope has worn the papal vestments that will emerge on the balcony and greet the audience for the first time.