@mc5punk 21 April 2025 more from that month

Short story: Habemus Papam

I. The Announcement The sunrise in Rome was gray and cold. A light haze covered St. Peter's Square, where silence was unusual. The sun was just rising when the bells of the Basilica began to ring, slow and deep, announcing to the world the death of the Pope. The news spread quickly: in nearby cafes, parishioners read the headlines in the newspapers, and in the streets, the faithful knelt in prayer. Inside the Apostolic Palace, the atmosphere was solemn. The white marble corridors, adorned with antique tapestries and portraits of popes from centuries past, were almost deserted. Only the hurried footsteps of monsignors and Swiss guards could be heard, moving discreetly, preparing the details of mourning and the impending election. II. The Cardinals One by one, the cardinals arrived in Rome. Among them was Cardinal Angelo Bertolini, a seventy-two-year-old Italian, known for his wisdom and serenity. His leisurely gait contrasted with the anxiety of others, such as Cardinal Jean-Luc Moreau, a younger Frenchman with a restless character, who kept looking at his watch and consulting his mobile phone. At the Casa Santa Marta, where they were staying during the conclave, the cardinals shared formal dinners and discreet conversations. Some, like Bertolini, preferred solitude and prayer in the small private chapel. Others, like Moreau, debated quietly in the corridors, exchanging impressions about possible candidates. III. The Sistine Chapel On the appointed day, the cardinals walked in procession to the Sistine Chapel. The Master of Ceremonies, Monsignor Villani, was waiting for them at the entrance, dressed in a purple robe and carrying a prayer book. The light filtered by the high windows illuminated Michelangelo's frescoes, which seemed to be observing them from above. Upon entering, each cardinal swore to absolute secrecy about the deliberations. The echo of their voices echoed under the dome, as the Master of Ceremonies closed the heavy wooden doors, sealing the enclosure. Outside, the crowd was growing, occupying every corner of the square, attentive to the small fireplace installed on the ceiling of the chapel. IV. The Votes The atmosphere inside the Sistine Chapel was tense. The cardinals sat in rows, each with a blank ballot and a pen. Bertolini, frowning, pondered for a few seconds before writing down his candidate's name. Moreau, visibly nervous, looked around before making up his mind. The ballots were collected in a silver ballot box and, under the supervision of the Master of Ceremonies, they were counted and burned in a small oven. Black smoke billowed up the chimney, starting a collective sigh of disappointment in the square. The days passed. The voting took place in succession, and with each round, the atmosphere became denser. Some cardinals, such as the Brazilian Domingos Silva, tried to mediate between the different groups, seeking consensus. Others, such as the American Thomas O'Malley, remained firm in their preferences, reluctant to give in. V. The Decisive Moment The tension peaked on the sixth ballot. Bertolini, feeling the weight of history on his shoulders, wrote a different name this time, convinced that it was the best for the Church. Moreau, after a short prayer, did the same. When the Master of Ceremonies announced the result, a murmur went through the room: there was a sufficient majority. The ballots were burned and, this time, the smoke that emerged was white. Outside, the crowd erupted in cheers, and St. Peter's bells rang loudly. The cardinals stood up, many with tears in their eyes, and approached the chosen one, who was visibly shaking. VI. The New Pope The chosen one, surprised and humble, accepted the responsibility. Monsignor Villani led him to a small side room, where he dressed in the white robes. Meanwhile, in the square, the expectation was maximum. The crowd was looking at the central balcony of the basilica, waiting for the announcement. Finally, the Master of Ceremonies appeared and pronounced the ritual words:  "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam". The new Pope came out on the balcony, waving with a trembling hand. His first words were of humility and hope. The square erupted in applause, and the echo of the bells was mixed with the cheers of the faithful. Under the sky of Rome, the history of the Church continued, guided by a new pastor, while the eternal city celebrated the rebirth of hope. Source of the images. Image created with Starryai.