Who's the "We" in "Habemus Papam"?

Are we all Catholic now?

“Habemus Papam!” There hasn’t been this much Latin on social media since Lin Manuel Miranda and Hamilton were all the rage. “Habemus”, as everyone knows is first person plural for “we have.” As in “We have a Pope.” And last week the phrase was unavoidable, from facebook to the New York Times, which dedicated an entire article on how the Pope was announced around the world. And rightfully so. Declaring a new Pope is a rare moment in history. It is like a meteor or an eclipse, something rare, interesting and noteworthy. And so, when the dramatic white smoke drifted into the Roman sky, “Habemus” rose with it.

The trouble, however, is that as millions celebrate the ancient traditions and customs of choosing a new Pope, the “we” in “habemus” is remarkably undefined. Obviously, it includes anyone who is an actual member and practitioner of the Roman Catholic faith. For millions of adherents, declaring “we have a pope” is literally true. But, in the grand news cycle and across the world, there are almost as many non-practitioners embracing the same level of enthusiasm. For a brief few days it seems everyone is Catholic and there is no issue with the collective plural “we.”

If this is not true across the world, it certainly is in the city of Chicago. “Da Pope” t-shirts, hats and posters are already for sale. The Papal seal is being superimposed on every stereotype imaginable. “Green Bay Popes - 0, Chicago Popes -1’’ and “On a mission from God” are just a couple of easy examples. If the city’s tourist board were not true believers in miracles before last week, there is little doubt of their conversion now. The fire inside the Sistine chapel that announced Leo’s election might as well have been started by Mrs. O’leary’s cow. Even if it wasn’t the city is proud of its native son, and happy to proclaim the Pope as one of theirs.

Likewise, all of America, and especially the mid-west, seems overjoyed. Almost immediately, the “I can’t believe I lived to see this” editorials appeared in newspapers and on the airwaves. Not that long ago, the idea of a Roman Catholic president was unthinkable. John F. Kennedy, was the first, and he had to give a speech separating his allegiance to the Vatican from his status as an American citizen. There were still some echoes of the dilemma when Joseph Biden was elected. Furthermore, regardless of internal politics, the international reputation of the United States and its leadership is under siege. The back-and-forth, right vs. left executive orders, and the ping-pong match of diplomacy has its effects. For an American to take one of the most visible global roles in the world is rather stunning. In fact it is terribly ironic that a new way of declaring one’s nationalism is pointing out the native land of the Pope. American bravado is not exactly subtle, and now more than a few citizens will be happy to attach a “Made in America” label to the Pope’s vestments.

But, what about all the “other” faithful? Protestants, Jews, Muslims, and hosts of other religions have also welcomed Pope Leo XIV. They are not Roman Catholic and in many cases are diametrically opposed to the theological authority the Pope wields. In some cases they even view him as a demon. But, their well wishes are a perfunctory matter of respect and courtesy. Leaders of these various denominations represent a religious political reality, if not a spiritual one. It is wise to engender peaceful and cordial relations. In the esoteric sense, it is ok to say “We have a Pope” even it is simply to acknowledge his political clout. It is similar to declaring “We have a new Pope to deal with” as opposed to “We have a new Pope to follow.”

And finally, there is the psychological contingent to the “we” in “Habemus.” These are the individuals who see an ancient tradition and instinctively gravitate to its majesty. Such people could not begin to articulate transubstantiation. They think the immaculate conception is a famous Franco Harris football play from 1972. They have no idea what a Pontiff is, why he wears a funny hat, or what a Roman See is. Or even if they can explain these things, they despise them. But, their is a natural optimism that comes with the pageantry and mysticism of rites. In this case the new Pope is not about religion or even politics. It is the choosing of the Pope that is important. The ritual itself is a captivating mystery and holds the power to entertain. You do not have to be an astronomer to enjoy Haley’s comet, and you do not have to be Catholic to proclaim “Habemus Papam.”

Unfortunately, this will all pass. “We have a Pope” will quickly turn to “quod papa” (that pope) the moment Leo XIV makes a declaration that is seen as sectarian. First person plural possessive is easy when it confirms a territorial or instinctive bias. It is far more difficult to embrace when it condemns or makes religious truth claims. These will come, and the collective euphoria will soon be gone. So for now, enjoy a Chicago brat, set off some fireworks, and wait for the next Pope mobile parade because it is time to celebrate “Habemus Papam.”