A Frenchman will announce the name of the future Pope

“Habemus papam!” It is with these words pronounced from the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica (Rome), that in the event of a conclave, the name of the future head of the Catholic Church is revealed to the general public. An exercise that each time falls to a different cardinal. This time, it will be Monsignor Dominique Mamberti who will take on this responsibility, after the election of Pope Francis’ successor.

A new “protodeacon elector” in the event of the Pope’s death

Of Corsican origin, Dominique Mamberti is unknown to the general public, but well versed in Vatican life. Currently prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura – a sort of supreme tribunal of the Church that ensures the correct administration of justice within it – this discreet cardinal was, until 2014, Secretary of State of the Vatican, equivalent to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Here he is named cardinal proto-deacon: he becomes the cardinal electing the oldest pope. A position he inherits after changes in the cardinal hierarchy, during the consistory of July 1, 2024.

This will be the second time in a row that a Frenchman will announce the name of the new pope, after Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran in 2013.