Lachie Bartlett (2011-2015), Head Prefect in 2015, was in Rome when Pope Leo XIV was elected. He shares his experience of being in the piazza when the white smoke signalled that the conclave had chosen Pope Francis' successor.

One of the only joys that followed Pope Francis’ death was that we shaved 0.50 seconds off Mass in Rome:

“Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world, and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with Francis our Pope and [N.] our [all] Bishop[s] and all the clergy…”

When the date of the conclave was finally announced for Wednesday, 7 May, it was clear that our half-second shorter Mass would soon be coming to an end. As someone who appreciates routine and structure, the impending conclave threw me.

Despite the irony of being a professed Marist, training to become a Marist Priest, I’m not that much into “Catholicy things”. But I must admit the conclave had a different energy altogether. At uni (the Pontifical Gregorian University, run by the Jesuits), it was the sole topic of conversation. The little TV screens on the Metro and buses oscillated between coverage of the conclave and the man who shall not be named. People had their favourites, but I on the other hand was absolutely clueless. I didn’t even bother staying up on the first night to see the black smoke – 9.28pm – that’s practically midnight.

But the next day – Thursday 8th – I was ready. I had my Hoka OneOne Trail Runnerson (essential for the cobbled streets) and a pair of shorts in the bag – just in case I needed to run the 2.7km from the uni to St Peter's Basilica. But after a full day of class (and black smoke earlier that day), I meandered down to St Peter’s alongside my Marist brothers – Fr Roque SM (Philippines), David SM and Eduardo SM (Mexico), not holding out much hope that the Pope would be announced that night. By 5pm we reached the main Piazza.

With exams coming up I lay down, Kindle in hand to open to my Storia della Teologia (History of Theology) notes, turned my cochlear implant processor off - much to the cocktail of disappointment, judgment, and envy from the nearby religious sisters all rugged up for the (stifling) cool 25-degree day (no nor’easterly - either) in their black and white habit, and began studying.

What seemed like no time at all, Eduardo kicked me and the ground began to shake – I looked up and there it was – the white smoke. I put my processor back on and went from total silence to absolute bedlam – "GUARDA! C'è fumo bianco.” (Look! There’s white smoke)

The aforementioned judgey sisters transformed into flock of seagulls launching off the roof of a dairy in New Brighton to snag a dropped chip. Italians, who are not prone to be quiet on a good day, gave my processor a hammering – screams of “VIVA PAPA” (Long live the Pope) and “HABEMUS PAPAM” (We have a Pope),which, thankfully, after two months of (tedious) titillating Latin classes, I understood.

Despite not being that much into “Catholicy” things – the moment’s gravity struck me. Even to the point of tears. It was just bloody special. I don’t think I will ever be able to do it justice – so I won’t even try.

Barely an hour later, Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, strolled out onto the balcony. Learning Italian and studying in the language has been among the most humbling and challenging endeavours of my life. But standing there, understanding every word of Pope Leo’s address (apart from when he jumped over to Spanish – sorry Miss Festa), and witnessing history before me – dragged out a couple more tears. Like I did for Francis, I’m now praying for Leo - the enormity of becoming the successor of St Peter will probably be dawning on him now… As a religious (Marist), it’s heartening that he is both an Augustinian and a missionary who spent much of his life in Peru. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.

On the downside though, Mass is back to being a half-second longer. But hey, you can’t win them all.

“Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world, and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with Leo our Pope and [N.] our Bishop and all the clergy…” (so far, the priests in our community have not added “the fourteenth” – so it's still a time saver”).