Habemus Papam

[ithinkjesusiscool]

I study Latin. Thus I ask this:
When they elect a new pope a cardinal say:
Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam; Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum [praenomen] Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ Cardinalem [nomen], Qui sibi nomen imposuit [Nomem pontificalem].

I understand thay "ac" means "and". "et" also means "and". Why do they use ac instead of et?

[darcy15]

Ac is an abbreviated form of atque.

The meaning is the same as et, but an earlier classical form that is perhaps more emphatic. 😊