BREAKING New Pope elected, white smoke billows from Vatican chimney

At precisely 6:07 p.m., local time, the smoke rose into the late afternoon sky, sparking an emotional eruption from the tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square. Cheers rang out as priests made the sign of the cross, nuns wept, and the crowd shouted in unison, “Viva il papa!” Flags from across the globe waved above the masses as they anxiously awaited the identity of the Church’s new spiritual leader.

The white smoke indicated that the successful candidate had secured the required two-thirds majority—at least 89 of the 133 votes cast by the College of Cardinals—marking the election of a successor to Pope Francis.

As anticipation swelled, the Vatican’s Swiss Guards made a ceremonial appearance, marching into the square with precision. A military band followed, ascending the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica in a display of solemn pageantry.

The name of the new pope will be revealed in a centuries-old tradition from the loggia of the basilica, when a senior cardinal emerges to declare, “Habemus Papam!”—Latin for “We have a pope!” He will then announce the new pope’s birth name in Latin, followed by the name he has chosen as his papal title.

Shortly afterward, the newly elected pontiff is expected to step out onto the balcony, appearing before the faithful for the first time and offering his inaugural blessing to the world from the same loggia that has introduced popes for generations.

Earlier on Thursday, the 133 cardinal-electors, sequestered in Vatican accommodations since Wednesday, cast two rounds of ballots and failed to reach a consensus on who should be the next pope.

The votes both concluded without result, signaled by the plume of black smoke that rose from the chapel’s iconic chimney—a traditional symbol indicating no candidate received the required two-thirds majority. It was the same result for the first vote on Wednesday evening.
Newsweek