Vatican City, May 8 (EFE).- The new pope will be US Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost and will be called Leo XIV during his pontificate, it was announced after his election on the second day of his conclave. The 133 cardinals gathered in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel have elected a new pope, signaled to the world by the traditional white smoke billowing from the chapel’s chimney at 6:07 pm local time on Thursday.
Prevost, a missionary with long experience in Peru, will succeed Pope Francis..
Cardinal Protodeacon, Frenchman Dominique Mamberti, announced his appointment with the traditional Latin formula ‘Habemus papam’ from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The newly elected pope stept onto the balcony to greet the faithful and offer his first Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) blessing.
The election likely occurred during the fourth round of voting, given that conclave procedures allow for four votes daily and only one was held on Wednesday.
Earlier ballots on Wednesday and Thursday morning produced black smoke, indicating no consensus.
Per Vatican rules, a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority to be elected pope. With 133 cardinals voting, a minimum of 89 votes was needed.
“The white smoke was a sign of unity and hope,” said Sister Maria Beatriz, among thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “We have waited prayerfully, and now we rejoice.”
The election marks another milestone in papal conclave history. Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) was elected in 2013 on the fifth ballot, Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger) in 2005 on the fourth, and John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla) in 1978 on the eighth.
Historically, some conclaves have taken longer: Pope Pius XI was elected in 1922 after 14 rounds of voting, and John XXIII in 1958 after 11.
The Vatican’s announcement sparked immediate reactions across global media and social platforms. Vatican News live-streamed the white smoke, while major broadcasters cut to the scene as thousands of faithful cheered and waved flags in the square.
“We trust that the Holy Spirit has guided this decision,” said Father Luca Conti, a priest from northern Italy who traveled to Rome for the occasion. “The Church is entering a new chapter.”
The new pope’s identity will be revealed shortly, and with it, a new era for the Roman Catholic Church begins. EFE
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