VATICAN CITY — The world held its breath Thursday evening as white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling the election of a new pope to succeed Pope Francis. The puffs of smoke, followed by the joyous ringing of St. Peter’s Basilica bells, confirmed that the cardinal electors had made their choice after a day and a half of deliberations within the Vatican walls.
Awaiting the momentous announcement, a jubilant crowd swelled in St. Peter’s Square, their eyes fixed on the central balcony of the basilica. Cheers erupted as the white smoke first appeared, a visual confirmation that the 133 cardinals, sequestered since Wednesday afternoon, had reached the required two-thirds majority. Signs proclaiming “We have a pope!” punctuated the sea of faces under the bright sunshine.
The identity of the new pontiff and the papal name he has chosen remain a closely guarded secret, set to be revealed shortly from that central balcony. The world will then witness his first public address and blessing.
Sister Mona Lisa, a Brazilian nun among the throng, expressed the collective emotion. Waving her country’s flag, tears of joy streamed down her face. “I am so happy we have a pope,” she exclaimed.
The election follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21, after a 12-year papacy marked by efforts to modernize the Church and encourage dialogue on sensitive topics. As the world anticipates the unveiling of his successor, the cardinals’ decision on whether to continue this path of openness or steer a more conservative course remains a key point of interest.
While potential frontrunners such as Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle had been discussed, the conclave’s secrecy ensured the final outcome remained unknown until the symbolic white smoke emerged. Other “papabili” included cardinals from France, Hungary, the United States, and other parts of Italy and the Philippines.
The conclave’s process, marked by prayer and secret ballots, relies on the visual signal of smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney to communicate its progress to the outside world – black smoke indicating no decision, white smoke heralding the election of a new pope. After an inconclusive vote Wednesday evening and two further ballots Thursday morning, the cardinals returned to the Sistine Chapel at 4 p.m. (1400 GMT), culminating in the announcement via white smoke at approximately 6:08 p.m. (1608 GMT).
Now, all eyes are on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica as the world awaits the name and first words of the new leader of the 1.4-billion member Catholic Church.
