After the white smoke that announced his election, the new pope is in the so-called 'Tears Room,' where he dresses in the white papal cassock and prepares for his first public appearance before the faithful from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. The ritual marks one of the most intimate and solemn moments of the conclave. The Tears Room, located next to the Sistine Chapel, gets its name from the emotional weight of the moment: there, newly elected pontiffs often shed tears of emotion, reflection, or relief before facing their enormous spiritual responsibility.
The room was prepared in advance and contains three white cassocks of different sizes, a cope, stole, shoes, sashes, and a golden cross. Once dressed, the new supreme pontiff will receive the homage of the cardinals who participated in the conclave. In the coming minutes, Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti will be in charge of officially announcing the new pope from the central balcony with the traditional 'Habemus Papam,' followed by the public presentation of the new spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, who will offer his first blessing urbi et orbi.
The election was finalized after the candidate received at least 89 votes, or two-thirds of the necessary votes among the 133 cardinal electors.
