A new Pope has been elected

A new Pope has been elected - this is evidenced by the white smoke coming from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, reports TASS.

Who has become the new head of the Roman Catholic Church has not yet been announced. The name of the new Pope will be announced after he appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in white vestments. The traditional blessing "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the City and the World") will conclude the ceremony.

The day before, the conclave opened in the Vatican - 133 cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel to elect the Pope. To be elected pontiff, one of the candidates needed to receive two-thirds of the votes - 89 out of 133. Cardinals younger than 80 years old participated in the conclave, and the voting took place in strict secrecy. The attempt to elect the head of the church on the first try was unsuccessful - on the evening of May 7, black smoke was coming from the chapel's chimney.

Before 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 replaced Benedict XVI in this position, who abdicated due to health problems.