White Smoke Erupts as Cardinals Select New Pope

After two days of voting, the Roman Catholic Church has elected a new pope, as signaled by the appearance of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney, a centuries-old tradition indicating a successful conclave. The conclave involved 133 cardinals under the age of 80, who met in isolation to select the successor to the late Pope Francis. The new pope was elected on the second day after the fourth ballot, though his identity has not yet been publicly revealed. The election concluded quickly despite the large number of participating cardinals, many of whom were appointed by Pope Francis, suggesting potential continuity in the church's direction, though some cardinals represent more conservative views. The announcement was met with applause and celebrations in St. Peter’s Square, where thousands of pilgrims and tourists awaited the outcome. This conclave drew intense global attention, with hopeful anticipation for the new pope to address contemporary issues facing the church and the world.