(Vatican Radio) It’s official: white smoke pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney
signals that we have a new Pope! The billowing white smoke began spilling out of the
chimney at approximately 7:06 p.m. local time, indicating the Cardinals had reached
consensus on a candidate in the second round of balloting Wednesday afternoon. This
means that at least two thirds, or 77 of the 115 cardinals gathered in conclave since
Tuesday afternoon are united in their support for the candidate who has now become
the 265th successor of St Peter.
As the cheering crowds wait eagerly
in St Peter’s Square, the new pontiff is changing into the traditional white vestments
in what is called the Room of Tears. After that, he returns to the Sistine Chapel
where each of the Cardinal electors kneels to offer a sign of homage and obedience
to their new Holy Father.
Following that ritual, the new Pope will move to
the Pauline Chapel to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Shortly after that,
the senior cardinal deacon, French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran will appear between
the red curtains of the central balcony on St Peter’s Basilica to proclaim the famous
Latin words ‘Habemus Papam’, revealing the identity of the new pontiff and the name
that he has chosen.
A moment later, the Pope will come out onto that balcony
to greet the crowds and to give his first 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing to the city of Rome
and to the world.
Stay tuned to our live Vatican Radio webcast: Waiting for
the Pope on YouTube.com/vaticanradio or click on the LIVE WAITING FOR THE ELECTION
OF THE POPE button below.
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