At 6:08 p.m., the long-awaited white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, an unmistakable sign that the cardinals have reached an agreement: the Catholic Church has a new Pope. The name of the Pontiff will be announced in the next few minutes from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
After several rounds of voting since Wednesday afternoon, the 133 cardinal electors gathered in Conclave have reached the necessary two-thirds majority (89 votes) to elect the successor of Peter. The white smoke, issued after the first vote of the afternoon, was greeted with jubilation by thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.
Expectant crowds in Rome
Hundreds of cameras focused on the chimney waiting for the smoke. As soon as it was confirmed to be white, applause, chants and tears broke out among the pilgrims, tourists and residents present. The bells of St. Peter's began to ring loudly minutes later, confirming the election.
Thousands of people, citizens and tourists present in Rome, rushed to see the Cardinal Protodeacon pronounce the traditional formula: "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: habemus Papam".followed by the name of the new Pope and the name he has chosen as Pontiff.
The new Pope will address the world with his first apostolic greeting and give the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing.
With this election, a new conclave which brought together cardinals from 71 countries, with a strong sense of continuity, renewal and pastoral responsibility. The new pope will be the 267th successor of San Pedro and his election will mark the course of the Catholic Church in a challenging time at a global and ecclesial level.
