Thick white smoke rose from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signalling to the world that the Roman Catholic Church has chosen a new pope.
Cheers and applause erupted from the thousands of pilgrims and tourists gathered in St Peter’s Square in Vatican. The smoke meant that one of the 133 cardinals locked in the chapel had secured the required two-thirds majority in the centuries-old, secretive conclave.
Moments later, the bells of St Peter’s Basilica rang out in confirmation. The new pontiff was elected on the second day of voting, during the fourth ballot. His identity, however, was not immediately made public.
Pope Francis died in April, aged 88. His successor was chosen swiftly, despite the unusually large number of cardinals participating — many of whom had been appointed by Francis himself. His broad and global appointments have led some to speculate that the new pope may continue in his footsteps. But there are no certainties.
