White smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday evening, signalling that the Roman Catholic Church has elected a new pope.
The decision came after the fifth round of voting by 133 cardinal-electors gathered in Vatican City for the papal conclave, which began on Wednesday.
The identity of the 267th pope has not yet been revealed. He is expected to appear on the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica later to deliver the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing.
This conclave, convened following the death of Pope Francis on 21 April, is one of the most globally diverse in the Church’s history, with representatives from more than 70 countries.
Once elected, the pope traditionally dons papal vestments in the “Room of Tears” before accepting the role and selecting his papal name. The formal announcement is then made with the Latin declaration Habemus Papam (“We have a pope”).
The newly chosen pontiff will now assume leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics at a time of deep reflection and growing challenges within the Church.
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