The story of Dominique Mamberti, the cardinal in charge of announcing the world which is the new pontiff

‘We have a pope‘It was the most awaited phrase by millions of people who have been putting their eyes from Wednesday in the legendary fireplace of the Sistine Chapel (Vatican city). Everyone expects the mythical and traditional white smoke that announces the choice of the new Pope conclave.

In Latin, between the white cassocks and on the central balcony of the Vatican. Here’s how the Cardinal Protodiácono Dominique François Joseph MambertiThe oldest of the deacon order will give the most awaited announcement of the moment: “I declare your great joy: Pope“.

Mamberti, 73, was born Morocco But he lived in most of his life in Francewhere he discovered his real vocation: The priesthood. The religious graduated in political science and public law and studied different languages ​​until he joined the Holy See in 1986.

During his first years as a priest, ordained priest on 20 September 1981 by the bishop of the diocese of Ajaccio Mons, he conducted apostolic missions in countries such as Algeria or ChileHe worked on the United Nations in New York and was appointed secretary for relations with states in 2006 Benedict XVI Pope. Almost a decade later, in 2014, Mamberti was assigned the Second highest position of the Catholic ChurchPrefect of the Supreme Court of the apostolic signature, for the Pope Franciscodied on April 21 with 88 years and presented as Pope in 2013 by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran.

Despite his work as advertiser of the new Pope as Cardinal Protodiácono since 2024, the religious has been one of the 133 Cardinals who were part of the conclave To choose the Pope. It is important to note that he too could have become the Holy Father. Although he has a great influence, experience and trajectory, Dominique Mamberti would not be chosen because of his important task or has been positioned as one of the main candidates, but if it were, it would be the second oldest cardinal who would have communicated the decision from the Vatican.

Once the vote has started, the cardinals remain in rigorous incommunication up to at least two thirds of those present They choose the same candidate. When this occurs, the cards are burned with a mixture next to a stove that allows the famous and expected white smoke.

The new leader of the Catholic Church, who Choose and communicate your new name As a Pontiff, one of the doors of the Sistine Chapel leading to the Hall of Tears, where the ancient potatoes were able to vent themselves after the tension accumulated during the conclave.

It is in this room where the Holy Father chooses between three cassocks and other accessories with which he goes to the balcony of the Vatican, 45 minutes laterFor the first time before the multitude of Plaza de San Pedro and the expectations of millions of people such as the new Pope of Rome. This is when the moment comes and the emblematic phrase in Latin resonates: “We have Pope!” From the voice of Dominique Mamberti, in charge of finally pronouncing his name this Thursday.