A new pope has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church.
The crowd of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square erupted into cheers as white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday shortly after 6:07 p.m. local time or 12:07 p.m. ET.
The bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang shortly after as an additional confirmation of his election.
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The name of the new pontiff will be announced later, when the top cardinal will utter “Habemus Papam!” — Latin for “We have a pope!” — from the basilica. The new pope’s birth name will then be read in Latin by the cardinal who will also reveal the name he has chosen to be called.
The new pope is expected to then make his first public appearance and give a blessing from the balcony of the basilica.
The decision comes slightly more than two weeks since Pope Francis died on April 21, following a 12-year papacy.
More to come.
