A historic transition of power unfolds in the heart of Catholicism as the Church selects its 267th leader
The ancient ritual that has marked papal transitions for centuries played out once again today as white smoke billowed from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signaling to the world that the Catholic Church has chosen its new spiritual leader. The election comes just seventeen days after the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, closing a transformative chapter in the Church’s modern history.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT CAPTIVATED THE WORLD
St. Peter’s Square erupted in jubilation this afternoon as the unmistakable white smoke emerged from the slender chimney of the Sistine Chapel, accompanied by the pealing of bells from St. Peter’s Basilica. Thousands of faithful who had gathered in anticipation broke into cheers and applause, their eyes fixed on the balcony where the new pontiff will soon appear for the traditional first blessing, Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world).
“Habemus Papam!” (We have a Pope!) The traditional Latin announcement will soon echo across the square as Cardinal Protodeacon Jean-Louis Tauran is expected to appear on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to formally introduce the new pontiff to the world. As is customary, the Cardinal Protodeacon will announce the birth name of the elected cardinal and the papal name he has chosen.
The selection comes after what Vatican sources described as a particularly deliberative conclave. Earlier smoke signals from the chapel chimney had been black, indicating that the initial rounds of voting had not produced the required two-thirds majority among the cardinal electors. This morning’s white smoke suggests that consensus was finally reached on what appears to have been the fifth ballot.