Egypt Daily News – The cardinals have now successfully elected a new pope, Pope Leo XIV, 59 years old from Chicago.
With the appearance of white smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the world now knows that a decision has been reached. Traditionally, the newly chosen pontiff will appear on the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square within the hour.
At this moment, the pope-elect is being led to the “Room of Tears,” a small chamber adjacent to the Sistine Chapel, where he will change into the white papal vestments prepared in advance in three sizes.
Soon after, a senior cardinal will step onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and officially announce the election with the traditional Latin phrase: “Habemus Papam” — meaning “We have a Pope.” He will then reveal the new pope’s birth name and the papal name he has chosen to lead the Catholic Church.
With white smoke now clearly billowing over the Vatican, the conclave has concluded, and a successor to Pope Francis — who passed away last month — has been chosen.
While the identity of the new pope remains undisclosed for now, that will soon change when he steps onto the balcony to address the public for the first time.
We’ll bring you confirmation as soon as it becomes available. Today marks the second and final day of the conclave, and after several rounds of voting, a consensus has finally been reached.
Although tonight’s crowd is smaller than the one gathered last night, many have remained in St. Peter’s Square, watching eagerly as this historic moment unfolds. The 133 cardinal electors, representing 70 nations, convened in the Vatican to perform this centuries-old tradition, selecting the Church’s 267th pope.
The initial round of voting last night ended without a result, as signaled by black smoke. The same happened with this morning’s vote. The third round showed no smoke at all, indicating further deliberation.
Cardinals are permitted up to four votes each day—two in the morning and two in the afternoon—until a two-thirds majority is reached and a new pope is chosen, confirmed by the white smoke.
It’s not uncommon for several rounds of voting to occur before a decision is made. Some past conclaves have taken days, or even years. The longest in history, which elected Pope Gregory X, lasted nearly three years. The shortest, electing Pope Julius II in 1503, concluded in just ten hours.
Once a cardinal is elected, he is asked if he accepts the papacy and what name he wishes to take. He then changes into papal robes, is seated on a throne in the Sistine Chapel, and receives the homage and pledges of obedience from the other cardinals.
After the formal Habemus Papam announcement, the new pope steps forward on the central balcony to give his first public appearance and deliver the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing — “to the City and to the World.”
In the days that follow, he will celebrate a Mass inaugurating his new ministry as head of the Roman Catholic Church.
