100,000 delirious in St Peter's as identity of new pope to be revealed

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2005

VATICAN CITY (AFP) — A delirious crowd approaching 100,000 flooded into St Peter's Square on the news that a pope had been elected on the second day of the Vatican's secret conclave.

"The heart is beating real fast," said theology student Matthew Pandolfo. "And now there's the anticipation of who will be the Holy Father."

The ecstatic crowd roared at the first appearance of white smoke coming from the Sistine Chapel, signifying the successful ballot, whistling and cheering and waving flags.

Sister Lydia, jumping up and down on a chair and clapping in excitememt, said: "I prayed for a new pope today at the tomb of the Holy Father (the late John Paul II) and now we have one."

Eight-year-old Pierfrancesco, also standing on a chair, screamed to his...