White smoke signals election of new Pope in Papal Conclave

A new pope has been elected.

On the afternoon of Thursday, May 8, white smoke from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney billowed into the sky, prompting waves of cheers in St. Peter’s Square and signalling to the world that the 267th pope has been determined.

The new pope will succeed the late Pope Francis — but until later today, we won’t know who he is. However, after a small wait, maybe around an hour, his name will be announced and then the new pope will come out on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to give his first blessing.

Once a new pope has been elected, the most junior of the Cardinal Decons will call the Secretary of the the College of Cardinals and the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations into the Sistine Chapel, according to the Vatican.

During this time — when the pope has been determined, but not announced to the world just yet — the new pope will be ushered to the Room of Tears, near the Sistine Chapel, where he will wear the papal cassock for the first time, per the Vatican.

Read Also: Conclave fixes date to begin election of new pope

Just after his election, according to Vatican procedure, the new pope will be asked: “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?” After accepting, he will chose his papal name, documents of acceptance and his chosen name will be notarized and he will assume complete control over the universal Church.

Then the name of the new pope will be announced to the world with the words: “Habemus Papam,” which means “We have a pope.”

Following this, the new Pope will give the Apostolic Blessing Urbi et Orbi from the Loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.