With white smoke above the Sistine Chapel and the ringing of the bells of St. Peter's Basilica on Thursday afternoon, the citizens of Rome and the world were informed that the 267th head of the Roman Catholic Church had been elected.
The appearance of white smoke caused delight among the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square.
ANSA reports that the pope was elected in the fifth round of voting.
The new head of the Roman Catholic Church will now go to the "room of tears", a small room next to the Sistine Chapel, where he will put on the papal robes and prepare to go out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
And there, his name will be announced by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti with the traditional proclamation "Habemus Papam" (We have a Pope). This could happen about an hour after the election.
The new pope was elected by 133 cardinal electors under the age of 80.
Photo: EPA/ALESSANDRO DI MEO
