White smoke emerges from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, it’s clear the voting process has concluded and the cardinals have chosen a successor to Pope Francis.
Now that white smoke has appeared, the new pontiff will normally appear on the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square in the next hour.
The new pope is now being led to a small room next to the Sistine Chapel where he will put on the white papal robes.
The senior cardinal will soon confirm the decision with the words “Habemus Papam” – Latin for “we have a Pope” – and introduce the new pontiff by his chosen papal name.
People are jumping up and with joy, some are praying to the sky. One couple from Greece say it’s a “once in a life time experience”, adding that they will wait to see the new pope appear on the balcony.
The sound here is tremendous, the bells are ringing so loudly it’s reverberating around the square as people cheer and scream with joy.
Source: BBC
