White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney Thursday evening, signalling that the Catholic cardinals have elected a new pope.
A total of 133 cardinals from 70 countries had gathered at the Vatican to carry out the centuries-old ritual of choosing the 267th pontiff, following the death of Pope Francis last month.
The first round of ballots on Wednesday ended with black smoke billowing from the Sistine. The deadlock persisted on Thursday morning.
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However, on Thursday evening, a white smoke billowed from the from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, signalling to the world that the Roman Catholic church has a new pope.
There is cheering and celebration amongst the gathered crowds in the Vatican.
Flags waved and people have been embracing one another as the search for the next leader of the Catholic Church has reached its conclusion.
In a further confirmation that the conclave is over, the bells of St Peter’s Basilica rang out. The pope was chosen on the second day of voting, after the fourth ballot, although his identity was not immediately made known.
When Jorge Bergoglio, who became Pope Francis, was elected in March 2013, his identity was revealed about 45 minutes after the white smoke when he appeared on the balcony above St Peter’s Square.
Francis died, aged 88, in April. His successor was picked quickly, especially given the large number of cardinals taking part in the conclave. The vast majority were picked by the Argentinian, who cast his net wide around the world.
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