UPDATE:
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago-born cleric, was elected the 267th pope on Thursday, becoming the first U.S.-born pontiff in history. His selection defied historical expectations and expert predictions, which had long deemed an American pope unlikely due to geopolitical sensitivities and global perceptions of U.S. influence.
His papal name is Pope Leo XIV.
Appointed by Pope Francis in 2023 to lead the Vatican office responsible for selecting bishops worldwide, Prevost’s elevation marks a significant moment for the Church — and a surprise for the vast majority of observers.
The announcement sparked a wave of reactions on X (formerly Twitter). While some celebrated the historic appointment, others voiced concern over Prevost’s liberal leanings.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
VATICAN CITY — A plume of white smoke has risen from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that a new pope has been elected. This age-old tradition marks the conclusion of the papal conclave, the secretive voting process that determines the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
The conspicuous signal, observed at approximately 6:08 p.m. Central European Time (12:08 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time), alerted the waiting public that the College of Cardinals had elected the 267th pope, accompanied by the tolling of St. Peter’s Basilica’s bells.
Fox News has additional details on what comes next:
Once the individual, who is traditionally selected from the College of Cardinals, is chosen as the next pope, he must accept the role with the Dean of the College.
He will then be asked by what name he would like to be called, and the conclave then concludes.
What the Smoke Means
White smoke indicates that a consensus has been reached among the 133 cardinal electors currently in session. The signal is produced using a chemical compound designed to ensure clarity and avoid confusion — especially when contrasted with the black smoke seen yesterday, which indicated no decision had yet been made.
The papal conclave is conducted under strict secrecy inside the Sistine Chapel. Voting continues until a two-thirds majority is achieved. Once that threshold is met, white smoke is released and preparations begin for the public introduction of the new pontiff.
Next Steps: Awaiting the Announcement
As of now, the Vatican has not revealed the identity of the newly chosen pope. The traditional announcement — “Habemus Papam” (“We have a pope”) — is expected soon from the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square, where thousands have gathered in anticipation.
The new pontiff is expected to appear and deliver his first apostolic blessing, “Urbi et Orbi,” to the gathered faithful.
Thursday’s development heralds a transformative moment for the Roman Catholic Church, as the newly elected pope will guide the spiritual direction of over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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Hummm. sounds like the old saying, ” Its all smoke and mirrors.”
You can certainly see your expertise within the paintings you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. All the time follow your heart. “The only way most people recognize their limits is by trespassing on them.” by Tom Morris.