February 11th, 2013 Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation saying to be no longer able to exercise properly his tenure as successor of St. Peter, for the advanced age and lack of energy. The words of Joseph Ratzinger plucked by surprise the whole world. An event of historical importance since an episode has not happened for about six hundred years, when Gregory XII in 1415 gave up his office.
At 20 o’ clock of February 28th 2013 the pontificate of Benedict XVI officially ended and the period of vacancy began. The new Pope was elected after a two-day conclave, which took place in the Sistine Chapel March from 12nd to 13th March.
At 19:06 IN March 13th, 2013, after five ballots the white smoke was issued. An hour later, at 20:12 cardinal proto-deacon Jean-Louis Pierre Tauran, with the phrase “Habemus Papam”, announced the new Pope Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, who chose the name of Francesco.
