A new Pope has been elected

White smoke over the Vatican: a new Pope has been elected - a solemn moment in the history of the Catholic Church

White smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel has announced to the world the election of a new pontiff, reports TASS. The name of the new head of the Roman Catholic Church remains a secret for now. The faithful and the entire world will learn his identity when the elected one appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in traditional white vestments. The ceremony will conclude with the blessing "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the City and the World").

The day before, a conclave began in the Vatican - 133 cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel to choose a new Pope. According to the rules, to be elected pontiff, a candidate must receive the support of two-thirds of the votes - 89 out of 133. Only cardinals younger than 80 years participated in the voting, and the procedure was conducted in the strictest secrecy. The first attempt at election on May 7 was unsuccessful - this was evidenced by black smoke from the chapel's chimney.

Prior to this, the Vatican annulled two symbols of power that belonged to Pope Francis.

Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) died on April 21, 2025, after a prolonged illness. The pontiff was 88 years old. In 2013, he ascended to the throne after Benedict XVI, who abdicated due to health problems.