The following photographs were taken in St. Peter's Square, Rome, on March 12th and 13th, 2013. Nuns wait in the rain at the start of the Conclave in Vatican City.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
The pilgrims in the Vatican always embody curiosity and expectation — but when the Sistine Chapel is in conclave for the election of a Pope, those feelings are magnified, becoming something almost indescribable in words. Photojournalist Christopher Morris arrived in Rome on March 11 and began documenting their visible expressions as the Cardinals gathered to cast their ballots for a new Pontiff. The result of the election was historic: the first Pope from the New World and the first of his name, Francis. Morris’ photos capture the emotions and sentiments of the crowd as they congregate and wait and watch and, in the end, marvel at the renewal of a 2,000-year old religious institution.
The following photographs were taken in St. Peter's Square, Rome, on March 12th and 13th, 2013. Nuns wait in the rain at the start of the Conclave in Vatican City.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA wide variety of onlookers gathered in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA woman waits in St. Peter's Square before the Papal announcement.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEPriests from around the world visited St. Peter's Square.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA scene from St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA barefoot Pilgrim prays on his knees as the Conclave convenes.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMECrucifixes in a shop near Vatican City.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEWorshippers watch the Conclave on a screen in St. Peter's Square.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA woman waits on the steps in St. Peter's Square.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEItalian Carabinieri stand guard at a gate in Vatican City.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOnlookers visiting St. Peter's Square.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMECrowds wait in the rain at Vatican City.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA nun watches the white smoke rising above St. Peter's Square.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEWhite smoke, seen on a screen, in St. Peter's Square, rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEThe newly-elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. The Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEThe crowd cheers for the newly elected Pope Francis I at the Vatican.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEPope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
