New pope to soon emerge on the papal balcony

White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 6:07 p.m. Roman time, alerting the crowd of faithful Catholics gathered in St. Peter’s Square that the College of Cardinals have elected a new pope. The sign comes on the second day of voting and the fourth vote. It means that the Cardinals reached the two-third majority have decided to elevate one of their ranks to be the head of the church. The gathered crowd cheered in elation as the smoke rose on a beautiful Thursday evening in Rome. The new pope will soon emerge on the papal balcony, announcing himself and his papal name to the world. His papal name will be announced after a top cardinal utters the words “Habemus Papam!” — Latin for “We have a pope!” — from the loggia of the basilica. The cardinal will then read the new pope’s birth name in Latin and reveals the name he has chosen to be called. The new pope is then expected to make his first public appearance and impart a blessing. For much of the past century, the conclave has needed between three and 14 ballots to find a pope. John Paul I — the pope who reigned for 33 days in 1978 — was elected on the fourth ballot. His successor, John Paul II, needed eight. Francis was elected on the fifth in 2013. More to come…

• Conclave: 133 Cardinals locked inside the Sistine Chapel as the world waits for the first smoke signal
• https://nationalpost.com/news/world/new-pope-vatican-sistine-chapel

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