Habemus papam facts for kids

The announcement of the election of Pope Martin V at the Council of Constance

Habemus papam (pronounced: HAH-beh-moos PAH-pahm) is a Latin phrase that means 'We have a pope'. It's the special announcement given when a new pope is chosen for the Roman Catholic Church.

This announcement is made from a central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. This balcony looks out over St. Peter's Square, where many people gather. The person who makes the announcement is usually the most senior cardinal deacon (a high-ranking church official) from the College of Cardinals. These cardinals are the group of church leaders who elect the new pope in a secret meeting called a papal conclave. After the announcement, the new pope appears and gives his first special blessing, called Urbi et Orbi.

How the Announcement is Made

The announcement follows a special format. It starts with a joyful message in Latin.

Here's the Latin text:

Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum;
habemus Papam:

Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum,
Dominum [first name]
Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem [surname]
qui sibi nomen imposuit [papal name].

And here's what it means in English:

I announce to you a great joy;
we have a pope:

The most eminent and most reverend lord,
Lord [first name]
Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church [surname]
who has taken the name [papal name].

Sometimes, before the main Latin announcement, a greeting is given in several languages. For example, before Pope Benedict XVI was announced in 2005, the cardinal first said "Dear brothers and sisters" in Italian, Spanish, French, German, and English.

History of the Phrase

The idea for this announcement comes from the Bible. In the Gospel of Luke, an angel tells shepherds about the birth of Jesus. The angel says, "Fear not; for, behold, I bring thee good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people." The Latin phrase "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum" is very similar to this.

The "Habemus papam" announcement became a regular tradition around the year 1417. This was after a confusing time in the Church called the Western Schism. For a while, there were three different people claiming to be the pope! To fix this, a big meeting called the Council of Constance was held. They elected Pope Martin V as the one true pope. So, the announcement "We have a pope!" was a way to tell everyone that the confusion was over and there was finally one clear leader.

The phrase was definitely used by 1484, when Pope Innocent VIII was elected.

Announcing the New Pope's Name

When the new pope's name is announced, his birth first name is said in Latin. For example, Pope Francis's birth name was Jorge Mario, so the announcement used Georgium Marium. However, his last name, Bergoglio, is said as it is, without changing it to Latin.

The new papal name (the name the pope chooses for himself) is also announced. Sometimes, a number is added if it's not the first time that name has been used (like Pope Benedict XVI). Other times, if it's a new name or the same as the previous pope, the number might not be said. For example, when Pope Francis was elected, no number was added to his name.

Examples of Announcements

Here are some examples of how popes' names were announced:

Cardinals Who Have Made the Announcement

The cardinal who makes the "Habemus Papam" announcement is called the Protodeacon. This is the longest-serving cardinal deacon. Here is a list of some of the cardinals who have made this important announcement over the centuries: