White Smoke Signals New Pope’s Election After Two Days of Conclave

White Smoke Signals New Pope’s Election After Two Days of Conclave

A plume of white smoke billowed into the Roman sky on Thursday, signaling the election of a new pope by the Roman Catholic Church. 

The centuries-old tradition followed two days of intense deliberations among 133 cardinals who gathered to select a successor to Pope Francis.

While the decision has been made, the world awaits the formal announcement from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, where the newly elected cardinal will step forward and deliver his first blessing as pope. The white smoke, which followed an earlier round of black smoke that indicated no consensus had been reached, sparked cheers and applause from the thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square, including pilgrims, clergy, and tourists eagerly awaiting the news.