The cardinal responsible for announcing 'Habemus Papam' at the end of the conclave is the protodeacon cardinal, according to the Code of Canon Law. The historic phrase is pronounced from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, in front of thousands of faithful from around the world, marking the climax of the conclave that takes place behind closed doors in the Sistine Chapel after the death or resignation of a pope.
According to the magazine Desde la Fe of the Archdiocese of Mexico, the phrase 'Habemus papam' is inspired by a passage from the Gospel of Saint Luke 2:10–11 that refers to the announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds. This expression dates back to the election of Pope Martin V in 1417, when three candidates were vying for the papal throne, and the phrase was adopted to announce the election of the new pontiff after two years of conflict.
When a new pope is elected, two signals indicate that historic moment: the white smoke that comes out of the Sistine Chapel and the famous phrase 'Habemus Papam' pronounced by the principal deacon from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. The expression means 'we have a pope' and marks the successful election of a new pontiff during the conclave.
On this occasion, the cardinal in charge of making this announcement is Dominique Mamberti, 73 years old and originally from Morocco. Mamberti is the prefect of the Supreme Apostolic Signatura and cardinal deacon of the diaconate of the title of Santo Spirito in Sassia, with expertise in Civil Law and Canon Law, as well as in the Middle East and Africa.
On Wednesday, May 7, the 133 cardinal electors failed to reach a conclusive vote, indicating that the conclave will continue on Thursday with the election of the new pope.
