The new Pope in discussion with a layman before the mass at the Sistine Chapel, October 25, 1978.

After John Paul I's sudden death, the Conclave of Cardinals were unable to agree on a candidate after seven rounds of balloting. Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was chosen on the eighth round late in the afternoon of October 16.

The Polish priest accepted his election with tears in his eyes. 'I was afraid to receive this nomination,' he told the crowd from the balcony overlooking St Peter's Square after his anointment, 'but I did it in the spirit of obedience to Our Lord and in the total confidence in His mother, the most holy Madonna.'

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Also see: Ganpati Bappa Morya

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