After two days of voting, white smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel chimney indicates a new leader of the Catholic Church has been elected.
Caroline Cooper is 70 years old and came to the Vatican from London with a friend specifically to see the conclave.
“We arrived on Monday, and both yesterday and today we’ve been here in the square all day waiting for the smoke signals.”
“We just couldn’t resist coming—today we were part of history. I’m really, really emotional,” she says, holding back tears. Her friend hands her a tissue to dry her eyes. “We hope the next pope will be as kind and generous as Francis was.”
What to know
- Cardinals have chosen a new pope, indicated by white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney.
- The name of the next pontiff will be announced from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti. The new pope will then make an appearance on the balcony to greet the faithful.
- 133 red-robed cardinals from around the world cast their ballots to elect the new pope.
- During the papal conclave, the cardinals were barred from leaving or having any contact with the outside world as they selected the next leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Habemus Papam!’ The declaration of a new pope, translated
The world will learn who has been elected pope when Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announces his name from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
He identifies the new pope by his given name, with his first name translated into its Latin version, and then announces the pontiff’s newly chosen papal name.
According to tradition, Cardinal Mamberti says in Latin:
“Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum” — I announce to you news of great joy.
“Habemus Papam!” — We have a pope!
“Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum (first name) Sanctae Romanae Ecclesia Cardinalem (surname)” — He is the most eminent and reverend Lord Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church (name).
“Qui sibi nomen imposuit (papal name).” — who has taken the name …
In recent conclaves, the balcony appearance of the new pope has followed shortly after the “Habemus Papam.”
