A plume of white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of the new pope as crowds erupt in celebration at St. Peter’s Square.
A plume of white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday afternoon, signaling the successful election of a new pope — the third consecutive pontiff to be chosen on the second day of the conclave.
Cheers of joy and relief erupted from the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square as the smoke confirmed that the cardinals had reached the required majority in either the fourth or fifth round of voting. Pope Benedict XVI was elected after four ballots in 2005, while Pope Francis followed on the fifth in 2013. The exact count for the newly elected pontiff remains unconfirmed.
After nearly two days of watching the chapel’s chimney for the traditional signal, the world now turns its attention to the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. There, the newly elected pope — still unnamed — will soon step forward to deliver his first words and receive the blessings of the faithful.
The historic moment, steeped in centuries-old ritual, marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Catholic Church.