White smoke from the Sistine Chapel: New Pope is selected
White smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel this afternoon, announcing to the public that the cardinals have chosen a new pope, a leader of 1.4 billion Catholics around the world. The identity of the new head of the Catholic Church will be discovered soon, when it appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
People accumulated at St. Peter Square erupted in joyful shouts, while the Basilica’s bells echoed, confirming that the 133 cardinals, closed to Conclava on Wednesday, had achieved a two-thirds majority for Pope Francis’s successor.
According to tradition, Dominic Mamberti, the high cardinal deacon, will appear on the balcony of St. Peter and publish the historic moment with the words « Habemus Papam » – « We Have Pope ».
In the Isolated Vatican Halls, the newly elected pope is preparing to choose its papal name, which often points to the direction of his future leadership. He will wear a newly made white papal outfit and put the ceremonial fishing ring, before being brought through the Blessings Hall to the balcony known as the blessings. There, in front of the thousands gathered in the square and the millions that follow the conclave around the world, his identity will be revealed.
Expectations are high, and believers are looking forward to the first blessing of the new pope, known as « Urbi et Orbi » – « For the City and the World ».
