White smoke has emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that the voting process has concluded and the cardinals have chosen a successor to Pope Francis.
With the appearance of the white smoke, the new pontiff is expected to appear on the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square within the next hour.
The newly elected pope is now being led to a small room adjacent to the Sistine Chapel, where he will don the traditional white papal robes.
Soon, the senior cardinal will confirm the decision with the traditional Latin words “Habemus Papam” – meaning “We have a Pope” – before introducing the new pontiff by his chosen papal name.
Excitement is sweeping through the crowd. People are jumping up with joy, some praying with eyes lifted to the sky. A couple from Greece described it as a “once in a lifetime experience,” adding that they will wait eagerly to see the new pope appear on the balcony.
The sound here is overwhelming. Bells are ringing so loudly that the reverberations echo through the square as people cheer and scream in celebration.