A new pope has been elected!
White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Thursday (May 8), indicating that a new Pope has been elected in the conclave process amid the cardinals after just two days of contemplation and voting.
The 133 cardinals have determined a new Bishop of Rome, who will be the successor to Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on April 21.
Who they have selected, however, has not yet been made public.
Keep reading to find out more…
The unveiling of the newly appointed Pontiff is expected within an hour or so to appear on the balcony, via Deadline.
Watch a live stream from the Vatican…
The new pope is now being led to a small room next to the Sistine Chapel where he will put on the white papal robes, BBC News reports.
The senior cardinal will soon confirm the decision with the words “Habemus Papam,” which is Latin for “we have a Pope,” and introduce the new pontiff by his chosen papal name on the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square shortly.
The Pope was elected by the cardinals with a required two-thirds majority. The first of what was four scheduled ballots Thursday (May 8) concluded around 10:30 am local time in Rome. With no Pope elected that round, black smoke came out of chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. The cardinals took a break and resumed voting about an hour later. And now, a leader has been determined!
Stay tuned to find out who the pick was, and see who the early frontrunners were based on the betting odds.
