White smoke was emitted from the
Sistine Chapel chimney on Thursday, meaning the cardinals in the
papal conclave have elected a successor to Pope Francis in the
fifth vote.
The 133 cardinal electors have thus chosen a new leader for the
world's 1.4 billion Catholics, whose identity will shortly be
unveiled.
A two thirds majority was needed, meaning the magic number was
89.
Francis died on Easter Monday aged 88 after 12 years at the helm
of the Church.
The new heir to St Peter will now choose a name and retire to
the sacristy of the Sistine Chapel, called the "Room of Tears",
because there the newly elected popes often give in to emotion.
Then, the cardinal protodeacon (Dominique Mamberti) will appear
on the central loggia of St. Peter's and pronounce the "habemus
papam" (we have a pope).
Immediately afterward, the pontiff will appear on the loggia and
impart the blessing Urbi et Orbi (to Rome and to the world).
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