White Smoke Signals New Pope Elected at Vatican

Vatican City, Vatican City — White smoke rose from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signaling that cardinal electors have selected a new pope for the Catholic Church. The announcement has sparked excitement among tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, who now await the traditional proclamation ‘Habemus papam’ — Latin for ‘We have a pope.’

The selection of the 267th pontiff comes after weeks of speculation and prayer following the passing of Pope Francis. As the smoke poured from the chimney, cheers erupted from the crowd, signaling the end of a tense conclave. The new pope’s name will be announced shortly, following the usual procedure where he first accepts his role and chooses a papal name.

This conclave began with 133 cardinal electors taking an oath of secrecy before casting their votes. Previous conclaves have lasted anywhere from hours to days, with this year’s proceedings following a similar trend of quick decision-making. Past moments of suspense included the election of Pope Francis in 2013, which took about one hour after white smoke was observed.

While there were predictions about potential candidates, the decision-making within the conclave is often unpredictable. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines has been noted as a possible frontrunner, but various challenges and different visions for the church complicate the choice.

On the day leading up to the announcement, black smoke signaled no definitive outcome during early voting sessions. Reports indicate cardinals resumed voting the following morning but only encountered further indecision before the eventful smoke signal finally appeared.

In St. Peter’s Square, the gathering grew in anticipation, and many expressed their willingness to wait despite the long hours spent outside. The excitement and camaraderie among attendees have painted a vibrant picture of hope and religious fervor.

The new pope will soon appear on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver his first blessing to the crowd. The moment embodies not only a significant event for the Catholic Church but also a deeply communal experience for those waiting to witness history.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.