Cardinals choose guardian of continuity over agent of change

THE crowds still gathered at the Vatican yesterday, trying to soak in the afterglow of Tuesday evening’s happenings.

In St Peter's Square, they pointed to the first-floor balcony of the cathedral with its elegant ruby drapes, where the immortal words 'Habemus Papem' were uttered on Tuesday.

They scanned the square with their cameras, taking in the bells, the ramshackle chimney above the Sistine Chapel, and the third-floor windows of the papal apartment.