White smoke is rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling cardinals have elected a new pope to lead the Catholic Church.
At least 89 cardinals – the required two-thirds majority – have reached consensus on the successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21.
The new pontiff is now in the “Room of Tears” adjacent to the Sistine Chapel, changing from cardinal’s scarlet to the white papal cassock. Vatican sources indicate they are recycling cassocks made for previous conclaves.
Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the most senior cardinal deacon, will soon step onto the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to announce “Habemus Papam” (“We have a Pope”) and reveal the new pontiff’s chosen name.
Before accepting the role, the elected cardinal would have been asked by the dean of the College of Cardinals: “Do you accept your canonical election as supreme pontiff?” Following acceptance, all cardinals pledge their obedience to the new pope.
Thousands have gathered in St. Peter’s Square awaiting the new pope’s first appearance and blessing.
