An interview with Fr. David Kidd, Diocese of Toledo
In March 2013, Fr. David Kidd was a seminarian studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. On the night white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, he joined the crowd that flooded into St. Peter’s Square—just a five-minute walk from the seminary. He reflects on what it was like to be so close to the heart of the Church at such a historic moment.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What were you doing in Rome in 2013?
I was in seminary at the North American College in Rome. I was in my second year of Licentiate studies. That day, March 13, was actually my brother's birthday. We had evening prayer early at the seminary so we could grab a quick dinner and walk over to St. Peter’s Square to watch the smoke—hopefully white! It was a normal school day otherwise.
What was the atmosphere like among seminarians at the Pontifical North American College during those days?
You had the sense that you were part of something historic. We were right there—cameras everywhere, all the key players, all the Cardinals. It felt like you were on the front lines of the Church. Outside of an ecumenical council, this is about as significant as it gets. Conclaves just don’t happen every day.
Describe the moment the white smoke appeared—where were you, and what do you remember most vividly?
I was in St. Peter’s Square. As soon as the white smoke came out, more and more people poured in. It had been raining most of the day, but it stopped after the smoke appeared, which was a blessing. I was about in the middle of the square, but as the crowd grew—hundreds of thousands of people—you kept getting pushed forward. You saw the military band, the papal band, the Swiss Guard all assembling. The whole thing had this incredible sense of drama and excitement as we waited for the announcement.
What were your first impressions when Pope Francis stepped onto the loggia?
It was hard to hear the announcement—the sound kind of bounced around the square. Someone near me said they heard “George,” and then they said “Francis,” and I realized I didn’t know who this new Pope was—Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio. I asked Jesuits we knew from The Gregorian, which is run by the Society of Jesus, to learn more about the new Holy Father. We had some pilgrims from the Diocese of Toledo in Rome at the time—Msgr. Kubacki, Maggie McDaniel, and a few others. We were supposed to meet up with them for dinner that night, but of course, those plans got completely upended once the white smoke appeared. After Pope Francis stepped out and gave his first blessing, we were finally able to connect. We shared a meal together and celebrated the incredible moment we had all just witnessed—it was a joyful and unforgettable evening.
Was there anything about being a seminarian in Rome at that time that made the experience especially meaningful for your vocation?
Absolutely. You really experienced the universal Church—people from all over the world coming together. The election of a new Pope is a powerful sign of unity, a continuation of a 2,000-year tradition. It gave me a deep sense of the Church’s mission, its clarity of teaching, and the role of the Holy Father as Christ’s representative on earth. That night reaffirmed and strengthened my sense of vocation.
What would you say to Catholics today, as we await the next Holy Father?
Give thanks for this opportunity and pray—pray for the Cardinals, they feel the weight of this responsibility. And pray for the new Pope. After the conclave, one of the American Cardinals visited the seminary and shared some reflections—not the details, of course, but just his experience of the process. It was clear the Holy Spirit was at work. We should all strive to be open to that same Spirit. The election of a Pope is a beautiful and tangible sign of unity in the Church.
– Annie Lust, Diocese of Toledo
Posted May 7, 2025 at 3:02 pm