VATICAN- The temporary chimney placed atop the Sistine Chapel has released a plume of white smoke today evening signaling that the 133 Cardinals working inside had reached a two-thirds majority to elect a new Pope for the Catholic Church.
Bells at St. Peter’s Basilica rang and crowds cheered as the white smoke billowed from the chimney and the new leader of the Catholic Church was chosen amid the third round of conclave voting.
Apparently thousands of people have gathered in Vatican Square to witness the first appearance of the newly elected Pope.
White smoke was released from the chimney placed atop the Sistine Chapel today evening, signifying that the 133 voting Cardinals reached a two-thirds majority to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church and the crowds cheered as the smoke emerged and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang.
The new Pope is expected to address the crowd next to the iconic red velvet curtains lining the central balcony of the Basilica.
The conclave to elect the 267th Pope ended after the second day of voting marking one of the shortest conclaves in history, there are only two other instances in recent history where a Pontiff was elected after only two days of voting, first for Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 and the second for Pope Francis in 2013.
Vatican expert Mountain Butorac told journalists that before a conclave begins, the chimney, which releases smoke alerting the public whether Cardinals have elected a new Pope, is stored in an attic in the Sistine Chapel.
Butorac explained that before the chimney was installed on May 2nd on the roof of the Sistine Chapel lived in the attic of the chapel, leaning against a wall.
Butorac said other people working at the Vatican, those who press elevator buttons, drivers who take members of the clergy from Santa Marta to the Sistine Chapel and even the florist are also required to take an oath to ensure the secrecy of the conclave and additional Priests who are available to provide confession to Cardinals during the conclave are also required to take the oath of secrecy.
