News Summary
Gabrielle Estrada, a firefighter from San Antonio, is in Vatican City to witness the papal conclave aimed at selecting a new pope following Pope Francis’s passing. Attending mass close to the cardinals, Estrada hopes for a new pope before her return home. The conclave involves 133 cardinal electors and needs a two-thirds majority to elect the next pope. Parishioners in San Antonio eagerly await news of the selection. The process emphasizes secrecy and unity among the cardinals. Estrada, who had a transformative experience during Easter services with Pope Francis, expresses her hopes for compassionate leadership.
San Antonio, Texas — Gabrielle Estrada, a firefighter and paramedic from San Antonio, is currently in Vatican City as witness to the historic papal conclave. This significant event commenced on Wednesday, marking the beginning of the process to select a new pope following the passing of Pope Francis. Estrada, who extended her European trip originally planned for her 30th birthday, attended mass with the cardinals, sitting merely three to four feet away from potential candidates for the papacy.
The conclave, which involves 133 cardinal electors, requires a two-thirds majority (89 votes) to elect the next pope. After a full day of voting, the conclave’s first ballot resulted in black smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney, indicating that no decision had yet been made. Estrada expressed her hopes that a new pope will be elected before her return flight to San Antonio on Saturday, giving her the opportunity to witness this momentous occasion up close.
Earlier during her trip, Estrada had a profound experience witnessing Pope Francis during Easter Sunday services, just hours before his death. The significance of faith is deeply important to her, and she reflected on feeling blessed to participate in one of the Catholic Church’s most critical events.
As the conclave continues, parishioners in San Antonio are closely following the developments. Dozens gathered at the San Fernando Cathedral, eagerly awaiting news of the next pope. Local resident Elizabeth Biggers expressed a desire for the new pope to embody humanitarian qualities, similar to those exhibited by Pope Francis, while Robert Moore conveyed faith in the cardinals’ decision-making process, hoping for a compassionate leader to guide the church.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re led the morning mass at the Vatican, calling for unity within the Church as the cardinals embarked on this important undertaking. The voting process is conducted in secrecy to preserve the integrity of the selection, avoiding any outside influence. Traditionally, multiple rounds of voting are necessary, with the process often ranging from three to eight ballots until a candidate secures the required votes.
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, a native of Texas, is among the 133 voting cardinals, emphasizing the theme of unity as a crucial aspect of choosing the next pope. As the conclave progresses, speculation is abounding regarding potential candidates, with Vatican diplomat Pietro Parolin emerging as an early favorite for the papacy.
Once a new pope is elected, white smoke will signify this historic moment, accompanied by the announcement of “Habemus Papam!” from St. Peter’s Square. Estrada, who looks forward to returning home in time for Mother’s Day, hopes to see her mother soon, but remains focused on the importance of the conclave and the potential transformation it may bring to the Catholic Church. She expressed optimism that the upcoming pope will carry forward the efforts to unite the church and inspire hope in its followers.
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Additional Resources
- KENS5: Vatican Conclave
- Wikipedia: Papal Conclave
- Fox San Antonio: Next Pope Focus
- Google Search: Vatican City
- News4 San Antonio: College of Cardinals
- Google Scholar: Catholic Church
- Axios San Antonio: Pope Francis Passing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pope Francis
- KSAT: Pope Francis Legacy
- Google News: Pope Francis Legacy
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
