White smoke from the Sistine Chapel's chimney has billowed into the sky, prompting waves of cheers in Saint Peter's Square and signaling to the world that the 267th pope has been determined.
White smoke poured from the chimney as bells pealed from the towering basilica, confirming that the 133 cardinal electors who had been sequestered inside since Wednesday had reached a two-thirds majority decision on who will succeed Pope Francis, who died in April.
Rapturous applause, yelling and plenty of tears filled Saint Peter's Square at the sign of white smoke. "I'm so happy, it's so incredible to be here at this moment," said Roseleia Cordeiro, 42, from Brazil, weeping while embracing a group of friends.
The atmosphere in the square transformed from solemn anticipation to a party of thousands. More flags appeared: South Korean, Indian, Lebanese, Polish and Romanian. People posed for selfies — their "I was there" moment — while a clergyman draped in the Brazilian flag was hoisted onto someone's shoulders, making peace signs with outstretched arms.
Inside the Vatican's cloistered halls, the new pope was being prepared to adopt his papal name—which can indicate what type of pontiff he intends to be. The tradition of selecting a name dates to 533, with popes often honoring a saint or past pope they admire.
Meanwhile, the crowd's attention turned from the chimney to the loggia, the balcony where the new pope's name would be announced. The roof terraces of the Apostolic Palace filled with Vatican staff who came out to witness this historic moment.
According to Vatican procedure, the new pope was asked: "Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?" After accepting, he chose his papal name, documents were notarized, and he assumed complete control over the universal Church. He was then ushered to the Room of Tears, near the Sistine Chapel, where he donned the white papal cassock for the first time.
Soon, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the senior cardinal deacon, would appear on the balcony overlooking the square to announce, "Habemus Papam" — "We have a pope."
The conclave reached its decision after being in session for a little more than 24 hours, continuing the recent trend of papal elections lasting two to three days. The new pontiff will confront difficult decisions about the church's future direction: whether to continue Francis' agenda of greater inclusion and openness to change, or forge a different path.
As the sun set behind Saint Peter's Basilica and an evening chill descended, the atmosphere in the square resembled the moments before a pop star concert. A band played while everyone watched themselves on giant television screens, cameras ready for the moment the new pope would emerge to give the Apostolic Blessing Urbi et Orbi from the Loggia of Saint Peter's Basilica.
After this historic announcement, the new pontiff will hold a ceremonial mass roughly one week later.
We will have more bonus episodes as events develop.
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