The highly choreographed and secretive process of electing a pope technically came to an end when Pope Leo XIV was introduced on Thursday.

But the oath of secrecy is frequently, and unofficially, kept for just a bit longer, according to Joelle Rollo-Koster, a professor of history at the University of Rhode Island.

“We can only imagine — with an educated imagination” exactly what happens when the pope returns to the halls of St. Peter’s Basilica, Dr. Rollo-Koster said.