Rome, March 2013
During the days of "Conclave" in the square of s. Peter I have tried to understand the effect that this extraordinary event had on the people, believer and non-believer.
In my days that i have spent in Piazza S.pietro I met all types of people and races from all over the world.There were no majorities, in any way. Initially I was focused on the youth of the pope "Papaboys", I was curious about this "religious subculture" with the help of the chief of the Papaboys i've photographed their prayer vigils, some even 48 hours long,the nocturnal processions, Masses, torchlight processions.
After devoting my energies to Papaboys, I wanted to document what was happening more in the square and then for about two weeks I wandered in search of images.
In the days following the news of the resignation of Pope Ratzinger, long pilgrimages from all over the world, and every religious order made their way to St. Peter's to witness one of the most strange and unusual church event.
During my pilgrimage I photographed mainly young people, nuns and priests, but among them there were also thousands of onlookers and tourists who have found them "by chance". Sisters have always fascinated me, more for a cosmetic issue, their clothing, their faces.
Same for the priests. This was a good opportunity to photograph them and not to be dismissed. One of the priests I met came from Assisi and was a Franciscan, ran barefoot with the square of the tunic yutha and a wooden stick.
During the"Conclave",he was praying on his knees and stared at the window from where it would then be facing the newly elected pope and the bishops.There was an atmosphere of disbelief mixed with excitement / confusion but I think that people were mostly happy with such a change / renewal.
The other 50% of the square was occupied by the International Press from every corner, St.pietrino, stalking, looking for information and interviewing mercilessly the people
.Everyone responded to all questions with the same thing " it was a choice of humility "and" the new pope will do just as good "and of course" HURRAH FOR THE POPE! "I do not think I've ever seen so many reporters in one place, all there for the same reason.
After long days and a continuous coming and going of people finally get the news that the Conclave could start, and under a steady rain the first signs of smoke.
No one knows how long and who will be announced as the new Pope, and this mystery was in the eyes of the people in S.Pietro. On the second day of the Conclave, around 7.30pm the white smoke came and I must say that in some way has touched me.The people after this notice "We Have a Pope" does not know how to react, those who weep, who called their loved ones to the cellphone, who takes pictures, someone was embraced.
Everyone runs beneath the balcony of St. Peter where a little later will overlook the Holy Father, I come pushed through by the mass of the people without being able to move anymore, I will discharge the batteries, someone from behind with a loud voice yells repeatedly.. HURRAH FOR THE POPEEE!
