How I heard the news

I was sitting in the waiting room of my dermatologist's office waiting for my annual check-up (all is good). They have a big screen TV high up on the wall where everyone can see it - but it wasn't turned on yet because I was the first patient Thursday afternoon.

I heard Z say, "Tell them to turn on the TV", which I did. About two minutes later the first announcement - complete with white smoke - was made about a pope having been elected. Little by little the information came in about the new Pope as we wondered what country he was from. And there it was ... he was in a legacy that never spoke of having an America Pope.

By that time other patients had joined me in the waiting room chatting about their expectations from the new pope.

It was interesting that the receptionist told us that her sister had gone to Rome on a vacation - never expecting all of this excitement on her journey - and was there with the millions waiting to see and hear who was elected.

Personally, I was glad that he was an American, and felt that he will try to overcome the obstacles of humanity much like his predecessor - but as we know, there will always be contention, and that everything is broken and declining in end times.

Stopping to do a little shopping on the way home - I was waiting to see if people were discussing the new pope - but it seems few seemed to care.

The news showed reactions of other New Yorkers - with mixed reviews - most in wait-and-see mode.

And so we turned another chapter - which some consider the final chapter in the selection of a pope.