In an interview with MSNBC, TCA’s senior fellow Mary FioRito describes the emotion sweeping St. Peter’s Square as the white smoke announced to onlookers a new pope had been elected. “My heart was racing” she says, as she describes people running and shouting, “Bianca fume! Bianca fume!” while they eagerly awaited news of the new papal leader’s identity. “It’s very emotional because this is the person we’re going to look to as a sort of moral guide and someone who will help us to be closer to God.”

Listen to Mary’s full comments in the interview below: