VATICAN CITY (AP) — White smoke is pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling that a pope has been elected to lead the Catholic Church.
That means the winner secured at least 89 votes of the 133 cardinals participating in the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis. The crowd in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers. The name will be announced later when a top cardinal utters the words “Habemus papam!” Latin for “We have a pope!” from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. The cardinal then reads the winner’s birth name in Latin and reveals the name he has chosen to be called.
The new pope is then expected to make his first public appearance and impart a blessing from the same loggia.
Here is the latest:
Robert Prevost is elected the first American pope in history
Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.
Prevost, 69, took the name Leo XIV.
A new pope’s last moments before emerging to a global role
The new pope, whoever he is, should now be donning his papal vestments in the so-called “Room of Tears.” It is thus named due to the emotional weight of the moment and the responsibility ahead.
People in the crowd continue to scream “Viva il papa!” as they remain suspended in time in huge anticipation.
Older cardinals who didn’t participate in the conclave rush out to the square
These cardinals lined up as military bands played the Italian and Holy See national anthems.
Spotted in the crowd were American Cardinals Sean O’Malley and Donald Wuerl, both of whom are over 80 and didn’t vote.
Swiss Guards have taken position in front of St. Peter’s Basilica
A marching brass band in blue uniforms led a contingent of Swiss guards through the crowd to a central spot below the balcony, generating another huge roar from the crowd.
The Pontifical Swiss Guard is the official security force of the Vatican and holds a ceremonial and protective function.
And now more marching bands are celebrating the election of a new pope in a parade that includes large groups in military dress uniforms.
“Vivi il Papa!” erupts from the crowd whenever the music pauses.
All eyes are now on the red-draped central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica
That’s where a cardinal will soon emerge to “to proclaim a new pope to Rome and to the world.”
There is incredible excitement — the crowd is roaring, and some are shouting “hallelujah!”
Church bells ring in Spain
Moments after white smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel, the bells began tolling in Barcelona’s towering Sagrada Familia basilica and the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, across from the royal palace.
The great bells of St. Peter’s Basilica are tolling
And down below, amid the cheers in the vast mix of humanity in St. Peter’s square, priests are making the sign of the cross and nuns are weeping at the white smoke wafting into the sky.
The crowd erupted with joy in St. Peter’s Square
Some are obviously deeply moved, others excited. They’re clapping and waving national flags and taking photos with their phones.
“Viva il papa!” some shouted.
White smoke is pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney
It signals that a pope has been elected to lead the Catholic Church.
That means the winner secured at least 89 votes of the 133 cardinals participating in the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis.
The crowd in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers.
The name will be announced later when a top cardinal utters the words “Habemus papam!” Latin for “We have a pope!” from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. The cardinal then reads the winner’s birth name in Latin and reveals the name he has chosen to be called.
The new pope is then expected to make his first public appearance and impart a blessing from the same loggia.
The smoke emerged from the chimney at 6:07 p.m.
