White smoke has risen above the Sistine Chapel, the signal that cardinals have chosen a new Pope.
This came on the second day of the conclave.
His identity, and the name he will take as Pontiff, will be revealed soon.
The bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang to welcome the news that a new Pope has been elected.
The crowd in the Vatican’s main square burst into applause when the white smoke began to pour out of the Sistine Chapel’s chimney.
Once the Pope is elected, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks him, “Do you accept your canonical election as supreme Pontiff?”
If he agrees, he must decide his papal name. The Cardinals will pledge obedience to the new Pope.
Then he will be taken into the adjacent Room of Tears, where he will change from his scarlet Cardinal’s outfit into a white papal cassock. Usually small, medium and large cassocks are made in advance.
This time it is thought the Vatican is recycling cassocks made for previous conclaves.
The main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica is where the new Pope will soon make himself known to the world.
Once the new Pope appears on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, a Cardinal will proclaim, “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum:Habemus Papam! Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum dominum,dominum [baptismal name],Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ Cardinalem [surname],qui sibi nomen imposuit [papal name].“
This translates to: “I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope! The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Father, Lord [baptismal name],Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church [surname],who takes to himself the name [papal name].“
In this short speech from the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the world will learn the identity of the cardinal who has been elected — and the papal name they have chosen.
The new Pope will then speak briefly and say a prayer.
His formal coronation will take place days after his election. The last two Popes were inaugurated in St. Peter’s Square.
Third Pope In A Row To Be Elected On Second Day Of Conclave
The newly elected Pontiff becomes the third in a row to be elected on the second day of conclave.
Each of the last three Popes were elected in the afternoon of the second day of the conclave. Pope Benedict XVI was elected after four rounds of voting; Francis was elected after five.
Before them, John Paul II was appointed on the third day.
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