Rain was slicking the cobblestones of St. Peter’s Square on March 13, 2013. Thousands of people stood huddled under umbrellas, necks craned toward the balcony. We’d seen the white smoke. We knew a decision had been reached. But honestly, nobody really knew who was about to walk through those crimson curtains. When the name Jorge Mario Bergoglio was announced, there was a collective "Who?" from half the crowd.
Then he walked out.
He didn't look like a "Prince of the Church." He wasn't wearing the fancy red mozzetta—the short, fur-trimmed cape—that his predecessors usually wore for the big reveal. He just stood there in simple white. He looked... well, a bit stunned.
"Buonasera" – The Greeting That Broke the Ice
The very first words of the Pope Francis first speech weren't some grand Latin blessing. He didn't start with "Apostolic" this or "Ecclesiological" that. He leaned into the microphone and said, "Fratelli e sorelle, buonasera."
"Brothers and sisters, good evening."
That was it. Two words and the energy in the square shifted instantly. It felt less like an imperial coronation and more like a neighbor stopping by for coffee. It was kinda shocking in its simplicity. You’ve got to remember the context: the Church was reeling from scandals and the first papal resignation in 600 years. People were looking for a miracle, and they got a guy saying "good evening."
He followed it up with a joke that’s become legendary. He told the crowd that it seemed his brother Cardinals had gone "to the ends of the earth" to find a Bishop of Rome. It was a nod to his Argentinian roots, but also a signal that the focus was shifting away from the Euro-centric Vatican bubble.
The Moment the World Went Silent
If you watch the video of that night, there’s a specific part that still gives people chills. Before he gave the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing, Francis did something totally unprecedented.
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He stopped.
He told the people, "I ask a favor of you... before the Bishop blesses his people, I ask you to pray to the Lord that he will bless me."
Then, he bowed.
A hush fell over the crowd of over 150,000 people. It was a total role reversal. Usually, the Pope is the one bestowing the grace, but here he was, bent over, asking the "regular" people to pray for him. That silence lasted for what felt like an eternity, but it was probably only twenty seconds. In that silence, the "Francis era" was born. It was a move toward humility that basically defined everything he’s done since.
Why the "Journey" Matters
In that Pope Francis first speech, he used the word "journey" (cammino) repeatedly. He didn't talk about the Church as a static fortress. He talked about it as a movement.
- A journey of fraternity and love.
- A journey of trust among us.
- A journey of evangelization for "this most beautiful city."
He was setting a roadmap. He wasn't just there to sit on a throne; he was there to walk. Specifically, he was there to walk with the people. He even made sure to mention his predecessor, Benedict XVI, asking the crowd to pray for the "Bishop Emeritus." It was a classy move that signaled continuity even while he was clearly preparing to shake things up.
The Hidden Message in the Name
We can't talk about the speech without talking about the name: Francis. It was the first time a Pope had ever chosen it. Most people immediately thought of St. Francis of Assisi—the guy who talked to birds and loved the poor.
Actually, that’s exactly what he meant.
Later, he told journalists that during the conclave, when the votes reached the two-thirds majority, Cardinal Claudio Hummes hugged him and whispered, "Don’t forget the poor." That’s when the name Francis clicked for him. By choosing that name and then delivering such a stripped-back first speech, he was telling the world exactly where his priorities were. No gold, no pomp, just the "peripheries."
What Most People Missed That Night
Everyone remembers the "buonasera," but fewer people remember his specific focus on Rome. He kept calling himself the "Bishop of Rome" rather than the "Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church."
Why?
Because he was emphasizing his role as a pastor. He was basically saying, "I’m your priest first." It was a subtle way of de-emphasizing the bureaucratic power of the Papacy and re-emphasizing the service aspect. He wasn't just the CEO of Catholicism; he was the guy responsible for the souls in the pews.
Actionable Insights: Lessons from the Balcony
Whether you’re religious or not, there’s a lot to learn from how Francis handled that first high-pressure moment.
1. Lead with Humility
If you’re stepping into a new leadership role, don’t start with a list of demands. Start by acknowledging you need the help of the people you’re leading. Ask for their "blessing" or input before you start handing out orders.
2. Simplify the Message
Complexity often masks a lack of direction. Francis used simple language to communicate a massive shift in philosophy. If you can’t explain your vision in a "buonasera" style greeting, it’s probably too complicated.
3. Break the Script
People expect a certain "performance" from leaders. When you break the expected mold—like Francis did by ditching the red cape and bowing—you gain immediate authenticity.
4. Focus on the "Ends of the Earth"
Don’t just look at the center of power. Look at the margins. The most important insights usually come from the places everyone else is ignoring.
The Pope Francis first speech lasted only a few minutes. It wasn't a theological masterpiece. It didn't solve the world's problems. But it did something more important: it made people feel like they were being seen by a human being, not just a figurehead.
If you want to understand the modern Papacy, you have to go back to those few minutes on the balcony. It was all there. The humility, the focus on the poor, the "journey" together, and that slightly awkward, very charming "good night and sleep well" at the end.
For a world that was feeling pretty cynical, it was exactly what was needed.
To see the impact of this speech today, look at the Vatican’s current focus on "synodality"—which is basically just a fancy word for that "journeying together" he talked about on night one. You can start by reading his first Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, which takes these balcony themes and turns them into a full-blown manifesto for the Church.