The Roman Catholic Church has a new pope. White smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday signaled that the College of Cardinals has successfully elected the next leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
A total of 133 red-robed cardinals from across the globe participated in the papal conclave, held in strict secrecy within the Vatican. Throughout the deliberations, the cardinals were completely sealed off from external contact until a consensus was reached.
The official announcement of the new pontiff’s name will be delivered from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the Protodeacon of the College of Cardinals. Immediately following the declaration, the newly elected pope will make his first appearance before the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
The conclave and its rituals, steeped in centuries of tradition, mark a profound moment in the life of the Church, as the faithful around the world await the beginning of a new papal chapter.
Stay tuned for live coverage and updates as the identity of the new pope is revealed.
