VATICAN CITY — Habemus papam!
White smoke emerged Thursday from a specially installed ceremonial chimney on the Sistine Chapel to announce that the Catholic Church has chosen its next pope.
Bells rang out in St Peter’s Square and thousands of pilgrims, tourists, and curious Romans looked on as the fabled white smoke streamed into the sky, indicating that the 133 sequestered cardinals had voted by a two-thirds majority for a new clergyman to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
The new pope has not yet been officially revealed, but that should come within the next few minutes.
Well-wishers in St. Peter’s Square are waiting expectantly for the new pontiff to appear on a balcony above and greet followers.
Pope Francis died after a stroke on Easter Monday, aged 88, leaving behind a church riven with divisions. His death kicked off fraught discussions between cardinals over a candidate whom they hope can unite the church.