VATICAN CITY – A new leader for the Catholic Church has been elected following the appearance of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 6:07 p.m. local time, confirming the conclusion of the papal conclave.
At least 89 out of 133 cardinals cast their ballots in favour of the newly elected pope, succeeding Pope Francis. The identity of the new pontiff remains under wraps until the traditional declaration from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, where a senior cardinal will soon announce, “Habemus papam!”—Latin for “We have a pope!”
Thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square witnessed the historic moment, cheering, waving national flags, and capturing the moment on their phones. Church bells rang out across Vatican City shortly after the smoke appeared.
While the Vatican has no official candidates, several cardinals were considered frontrunners, including Pietro Parolin, Luis Tagle from the Philippines, Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Congo, and Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who could become the first Italian pope in decades.
The newly elected pope is expected to greet the public and deliver his first blessing from the balcony overlooking the square, though the exact timing of his appearance is not yet known.
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