A new pope has been elected.
White smoke has risen from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on May 8. Vatican bells rang out, and the cheers from the tens of thousands of faithful launched out of St. Peter’s Square.
The white smoke signals that the secret vote among the 133 cardinal electors—representing dozens of nations from all over the world—has reached the necessary two-thirds majority and that the chosen man has accepted the position.
This was the most populous conclave in history, and the cardinals reached their selection on the third vote.
The identity of this new pope is still unknown. The world now waits for the proto deacon to emerge onto the balcony and announce the new leader with the famous words “Habemus Papam,” Latin for “We have a pope.”
The new pope will make his first statements shortly thereafter to the people gathered in the square and millions watching around the world. Thousands of people continue to flock to St. Peter’s Square in anticipation.
Meanwhile, a specific process unfolds before the new pope is ready to address the people.
Behind the walls of the Vatican, the vote would have been confirmed and the new pope formally offered the Throne of St. Peter, and then asked which saint’s name he wishes to take as his papal name.
Upon declaring his new name, he would have been taken to a small room next to the Sistine Chapel, the “Room of Tears,” to don the white papal vestments for the first time. It is called the “Room of Tears” because the newly appointed pontiff often becomes overwhelmed with emotion.
Each of the cardinals inside would then take an oath of allegiance to the new supreme pontiff