He was waving his arms, he had a huge grin on his face, and looked like a Pope! We, in the crowd, couldn't help but laugh. And clap. And cheer. And yell. And wave.

I felt like a complete goof, waving hello and chanting his name, but oh well...

And then he began to speak in Italian. I'll translate what he said -  feel free to interrupt it with cheers and applause. We sure did.

"Dear brothers and sisters, after our great Pope, John Paul II, the cardinals have elected me, a simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord. I am consoled by the fact that the Lord knows how to work and how to act, even with insufficient tools, and I especially entrust myself to your prayers. In the joy of the Risen Lord, trustful of his permanent help, let us go forward, sure that God will help. And Mary, his most beloved mother, stands on our side. Thank you!"

He then gave his first Papal Blessing.

By the thousands, we got on our knees and received the blessing of Benedict XVI.

Afterwards, we continued to laugh and cheer and wave - long after he was gone. And we'll continue to chant the words we so often cheered for John Paul the Great: