'Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho' shares Papal conclave experience at the Vatican

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This past week, the whole world tuned into the Papal conclave, wherein the next leader of the Catholic Church or the vicar of Christ worldwide was elected.

After two days of particular voting of cardinals in the Vatican City to find Pope Francis' successor, past midnight on Friday night in the Philippines, white smoke came out of the Sistine Chapel's chimney.

This signified that the 267th pope was chosen: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who chose the name Pope Leo XIV.

On "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," host Jessica Soho shared her experiences from the Vatican during the momentous occasion.

The chapel

Before they were tasked to stay inside the Sistine Chapel, the cardinal electors had a Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff inside St. Peter's Basilica. Around four o'clock in the afternoon, the cardinals headed inside the chapel to begin the conclave. They had to surrender their cellphones and other gadgets for the conclave rituals. 

The Sistine Chapel in Vatican City is where priceless treasures and artworks are placed. This was also where 133 cardinals from around the world gathered for the conclave. The cardinals had no communication with the outside world. It was a time for discussion and voting on who would be the next pope. Once the chapel's doors were closed, the conclave began. 

Outside, at St. Peter's Square, thousands of Catholics from around the world waited for the announcement. 

Filipinos—seamen, nuns, priests, seminarians, OFWs, and more—were able to visit.

World media also monitored the conclave through a big screen monitor at the Vatican Press Office.

Before the conclave, there had been speculations about how the voting would go, and whether the next pope would be like the late Pope Francis and continue what he started, or if he would be more conservative.

Soho said, "Although, the past several days or two weeks, I think, ay marami na ho silang mga diskusyon. Pinag-usapan na raw ho nila 'yung iba't ibang mga problemang hinaharap ng simbahan. So, by that time, medyo nasuri na nila 'yung isa't isa para siguro magkaroon na rin ho ng chance na makapili 'yung iba."

["Over the past several days—or even the past two weeks, I think the cardinals have had many discussions. They have reportedly already talked about the challenges the church is facing, and by now, they've probably assessed one another, perhaps even giving others a chance to be considered."]

Chimney smoke

When white smoke comes out of the chimney, it means that a new pope has been chosen. It could take anywhere between two to three days, as what previously happened with Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.

On the first day of the conclave, black smoke came out at nine in the evening.

A Filipino priest that Soho met at Vatican City, Father Jess, said that it must be difficult to choose the right person for the papal role.

"Kaya nga po may discernment. 'Yung decision and action guided by the Holy Spirit. 'Yung human collaborations ay napaka-importante rin po," he said.

["That's why discernment is key—decisions and actions are guided by the Holy Spirit. But human collaboration also plays a vital role."]

Fr. Jess also said that the incoming pope will face a challenging role, given the many issues confronting both the Church and the world.

"Napakahirap po 'yan. Kaya nga po ang hinihingi ngayon kung saan makakuha ng isang tao na 'yun ang maging instrument for the unity."

["It's a very difficult task. That's why the hope now is to find someone who can truly be an instrument of unity."]

He added that the public needs to understand that the church is for them and that is what God wants. "At kailangan kung ano 'yung tinuro ng Panginoon, 'yun ang isabuhay natin."

["We are called to live by the teachings of the Lord."]

By Thursday night, after the third voting on the second day of the conclave, white smoke came out of the chimney, which drew cheers and even tears of joy from the thousands in the basilica. This means that the cardinals have decided and the newly elected pope accepted the decision. 

"Ang saya-saya po. As a priest po, nagpapasalamat ako nang husto sa Panginoon dahil ibinigay Niya sa atin uli ang Kanyang pagtitiwala na isa sa mga cardinals ay maging vicar Niya rito sa lupa, na maggagabay sa atin para maipagpatuloy at maisabuhay natin ang pananampalataya," Fr. Jess said.

["I am very happy. As a priest, I am deeply grateful to the Lord because for once again entrusting us with a new shepherd—one of the cardinals chosen to be His vicar on earth—who will guide us as we continue to live out our faith."]

After the white chimney smoke, the St. Peter's Basilica's bell was rung, which confirmed that there is a new pope.

Following that was the procession. The new pope then headed into the Chapel of Tears to pray and wear his new clothes, and then choose a new name after a saint.

Pope Leo XIV

From the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announced Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new pope. He is the first pope from the United States and he chose the name Pope Leo XIV.

The new pope spoke to invoke peace all over the world in his speech, and thanked the late Pope Francis. He also gave his first papal blessing.

Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago in 1955. He is also the first Augustinian Pope or from the Order of Saint Augustine. He became a priest in 1982 and became active in various missions around the world.

Before he became Pope, he visited the Philippines in 2002 to visit the first Augustinian University in Asia, the University of San Agustin in Iloilo. Since then, he has visited Iloilo several times.

In 2004, he visited Talisay City in Cebu to bless the Santo Niño de Cebu Parish friary.

Then in 2010, Augustinian priests gathered in the Philippines. One of the churches Fr. Prevost visited the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila where he held a mass.

One of the lucky people who took a picture with Fr. Prevost from way back is Carlo. The photo was from when he attended the solemn profession of an Augustinian nun in a monastery in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

"Siya 'yung nagbibigay ng homily. Noong lumabas na siya, sabi ko, 'Fr. Prevost, may I have a picture with you?' Doon na kami nag-picture ng selfie namin," Carlo said. "Tapos group picture with the other Augustinian Friars and Seminarians and other guests. 'Yun na 'yung first and last encounter ko ata with then Fr. Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV."

["He was the one delivering the homily. When he came out, I said, 'Fr. Prevost, may I take a photo with you?' That's when we took a selfie. Then we had a group photo with the other Augustinian friars, seminarians, and guests. That was probably my first and last encounter with then Fr. Prevost—now Pope Leo XIV."]

Carlo added that Fr. Prevost was very accommodating and had a kind radiance around him, and so he was very excited to know that he was now the new pope.

"Napatayo talaga ako sa kinauupuan ko. Sabi ko, 'Teka, teka, may picture ako niyan,'" he said.

["I actually stood up from where I was sitting and said, 'Wait, wait—I have a photo with him.']

"Masasabi ko talaga na the Lord works in mysterious ways. 'Yung galawan ng Panginoon eh hindi natin galawan. Kasi syempre hindi ko talaga inaakala si Cardinal Prevost eh magiging Santo Papa," he added.

["I can truly say that the Lord works in mysterious ways. His ways are not ours. Of course, I never expected Cardinal Prevost to become Pope."]

Meanwhile, Fr. Jess shared the church's expectations for the new pope.

"Misyon ng simbahan na maging bridge para makamit ng buong mundo ang kapayapaan na kailangan ngayon. At 'yung dialogue para maabot ng simbahan ang lahat ng mga tao. Sabi niya, 'Bilang obispo, ako ay obispo n'yo at nandiyan ako sa inyo.'" 

["The mission of the Church is to be a bridge—to help the world achieve the peace we so urgently need. Through dialogue, the Church can reach more people. He said, 'As your bishop, I am your bishop and I am here for you.'"]

He also expects Pope Leo to push through with what he promised.

"At ito ang maging program para ang simbahan ay patuloy po na maging gabay ng lahat. Lalung-lalo na ngayon, sinasabi nga natin 'yung parang nagkukulang sa orientations ang mga tao ngayon. Nawawala ang tiwala kung minsan. At 'yun po ang dapat na magampanan ng simbahan."

["This should be the Church's role—especially now, when many feel lost or disconnected. People are searching for direction, and sometimes, trust is hard to come by. That's where the Church must step in."]

"At lalung-lalo na kami na mga nasa simbahan, kailangan namin po na maisabuhay ito. Hindi lang naman po ito misyon ng pope, misyon ito ng lahat, ng mga tinawag," he added.

["We in the Church must live this out ourselves. This mission isn't only the Pope's—it's a calling for all of us who have been chosen to serve."] —JCB, GMA Integrated News