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habemus

Habemus is a Latin term meaning "we have" or "we possess." It is the first-person plural present indicative active form of habeo, habere, and is used in classical Latin to express possession or assertion about something.

The phrase is most famous for its ecclesiastical use in the papal tradition. During a papal conclave,

In modern culture, the expression has entered broader usage through media and literature. It is the title

Linguistically, habemus illustrates how Latin verbs can function in formal, ceremonial contexts to convey possession or

the
Cardinal
Protodeacon
proclaims
"Habemus
Papam"
to
indicate
that
a
new
pope
has
been
elected.
This
proclamation
is
traditionally
followed
by
the
name
of
the
pope.
The
moment
is
often
accompanied
by
the
appearance
of
white
smoke
from
the
Sistine
Chapel
chimney,
signaling
the
conclusion
of
the
conclave
and
the
transition
of
papal
authority.
of
the
2011
Italian
film
"Habemus
Papam"
by
Nanni
Moretti,
which
explores
themes
surrounding
papal
election
and
the
responsibilities
of
the
papacy.
The
phrase
is
frequently
invoked
in
discussions
of
papal
elections
and
is
sometimes
used
in
headlines
or
summaries
as
shorthand
for
that
process.
a
declarative
assertion
by
a
collective
group.
Beyond
its
papal
association,
the
form
appears
in
Latin
texts
whenever
a
speaker
or
group
asserts
what
they
possess
or
claim.