White smoke from Sistine Chapel confirms a new Catholic pope has been chosen

White smoke is rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signalling the election of a new pope after two failed attempts at election. This tradition means that one of the candidates has secured at least 89 of the 133 votes cast by cardinals in the secret conclave, confirming him as the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

The crowd in St. Peter’s Square broke into loud cheers as white smoke rose into the late afternoon sky at 6:07 p.m. Some priests made the sign of the cross, while several nuns were seen in tears as people shouted, “Viva il papa!” – meaning “Long live the pope!”

The name of the new pope has not yet been made public. As per tradition, the announcement will be made when a senior cardinal steps onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and declares “Habemus papam!” — Latin for “We have a pope!”


Following that, the cardinal will read out the birth name of the chosen cardinal in Latin and announce the papal name he has selected. This will be followed by the new pope’s first appearance before the public. He is expected to deliver a short greeting and offer his apostolic blessing from the same balcony.