On the third day of their conclave, Roman Catholic cardinals elected a new pope. The historic Sistine Chapel in Vatican City was the dramatic setting for this momentous occasion. The election came soon after the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 22 at the age of 88. The conclave began with those same cardinals convening to discuss and ultimately choose the Catholic Church’s 267th Roman pontiff.
The election concluded on the fourth ballot. White smoke emerging from the chimney on top of the chapel announced the good news. As many are well aware, this visual cue serves as the centuries-old proclamation that a new pope has been elected. With that smoke, tens of thousands of people packed into St. Peter’s Square cheered. What surprised them most, though, was their anticipation for the announcement of the new leader of the Catholic Church.
The name of the newly elected pontiff was hidden from the public right after the conclave election. As the musicians entered and the conversation faded, anticipation grew in the audience. As everyone at home awaited Cardinal Dominique Mamberti’s announcement from the famed balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Nuns in the crowd erupted in cheers at the appearance of the white smoke, marking the beginning of a long-awaited momentous occasion.
Notably, reactions outside the Vatican included comments from President Donald Trump, who remarked to reporters, “I saw the smoke, but I haven’t seen the pope.” His amusing rejoinder summed up the exuberant mood and inquisitive spirit as the conclave convened.
Later in the day, from that very same balcony, they announced the new pope’s name. This announcement brought an end to the nail biting suspenseful watch for the dozens of thousands of people crammed into St. The election is a critical juncture for the Catholic Church as it seeks to play a prophetic witness of faith in an increasingly secular world under new leadership.
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