New Pope Elected, White Smoke Emerges from Vatican
The new pope's identity will be revealed shortly, and the Catholic Church will begin a new chapter under their leadership. The conclave's secretive nature and the cardinals' oath emphasize the significance of the decision, which is seen as a work of the Holy Spirit. The new pope will face various challenges and opportunities, and their election is expected to have a profound impact on the Church and its followers.
The Vatican has announced the election of a new pope, as white smoke emerged from the chimney, signaling the conclusion of the conclave. The new pope is expected to appear on the balcony of St. Peter's Square shortly, where a senior cardinal will confirm the decision with the words "Habemus Papam" and introduce the new pontiff by their chosen name.
The conclave, which began with 133 eligible cardinals participating out of 252, involved a rigorous voting process, with cardinals voting twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon. The process was secretive, with the aim of preventing external influence and emphasizing the decision as a work of the Holy Spirit. The cardinals took an oath, swearing to choose the candidate they believed should be elected according to God, and the ballots were burned after each round, with black smoke indicating no decision and white smoke signaling a new pope.
Several candidates were considered for the position, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, Robert Prevost, and Joseph Tobin, who could have potentially become the first US pope. The College of Cardinals gathered in Vatican City for the conclave, which was the first in 20 years to take place after a pontiff's resignation. The cardinals stayed in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a Vatican guesthouse, and took meals together, where informal conversations and coalition-building took place.
The election of a new pope marks a significant moment for the Catholic Church, and the new pontiff is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the Church's future. The Vatican has been preparing for this moment, and the new pope will be led to the "Room of Tears" to dress in white robes and receive a pectoral cross and zucchetto, before greeting the crowd in St. Peter's Square.