The Cardinals' Bright Smiles Draw Attention
As Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost, 69) from the United States was elected as the 267th pope, the bright smiles of the cardinals who were not chosen as pope have become a topic of discussion online.
According to foreign media reports on the 8th (local time), Leo XIV was elected as the new pope in the fourth round of voting at the conclave (the secret meeting of the College of Cardinals), which began the previous day, by receiving more than two-thirds of the votes from the 133 cardinal electors. In the conclave, all cardinals under the age of 80 serve as both candidates and electors, and voting is repeated until more than two-thirds approval is achieved. No one can predict when the process will conclude, and there is absolutely no contact with the outside world until the next pope is elected.
On the 8th, when Leo XIV was elected as the new pope, cardinals including Korean Cardinal Andrew Yeung Sok Kim (yellow circle) smiled brightly on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. Photo by UPI Yonhap News
The fact that the result of the conclave was reached on the second day can be considered relatively quick. In 1214, it took two months for a new pope to be chosen, and there was an incident where the newly elected pope died just two weeks after his enthronement due to the aftereffects of confinement. The record for the longest conclave is two years and nine months, which was required to elect Gregory X in 1268. Previously, the conclaves in 2005 (Benedict XVI) and 2013 (Francis) also concluded on the second day, with four and five rounds of voting, respectively.
Perhaps for this reason, when the new pope first appeared on the 'Blessing Balcony' of St. Peter's Basilica, the cardinals who congratulated him looked very cheerful. While Pope Leo XIV appeared somewhat tense, the cardinals seemed much more relaxed, smiling as they conversed or gazed at the sky.
This scene has sparked various speculations online. Internet users commented, "They clearly lost the election, but they're all smiling brightly," "There's not a single person looking disappointed," and "Ironically, the newly elected Pope Leo XIV seems to have the least cheerful expression." Others speculated about their true feelings, saying things like, "As long as it's not me," and "Now I get to go home," while also remarking, "Look at how the cardinals are beaming," "Everyone except the pope looks happy," and "Cardinal Andrew Yeung Sok Kim seems to be the happiest of them all."
After Pope Leo XIV was elected pope, the cardinals attending the conclave appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, looking out over St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Photo by EPA Yonhap News
Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago, is the first American pope in the history of the Catholic Church. He is known for having served for 20 years in the slums of Peru and is regarded as a moderate figure, similar to Pope Francis, with a strong interest in immigrants and the poor.
On this day, standing on the 'Blessing Balcony,' Leo XIV delivered a message emphasizing 'peace,' saying, "May peace be with you all" (La pace sia con tutti voi), and added, "I hope the greeting of peace will reach you, your families, and everyone's hearts. I wish it to reach all peoples and the entire world, wherever you may be."
Pope Leo XIV is expected to visit Korea in 2027. The World Youth Day (WYD), a major faith festival for Catholic youth worldwide, is scheduled to be held in Seoul. If Leo XIV visits Korea for WYD, it will mark the fourth papal visit to the country. It will also be the first papal visit to Korea in 13 years since Pope Francis in 2014.
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