White smoke emerges at Vatican as new pope is elected

LONDON

A white smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of a new pope on Thursday.

The new pope is expected to appear shortly on the balcony overlooking the square, where he will address the crowd.

A senior cardinal is set to confirm the election with the traditional announcement, saying "Habemus Papam," meaning "We have a Pope" in Latin.

The cardinal will then introduce the new pontiff by his chosen papal name, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the Vatican's leadership.

The papal conclave of 1492 – the same year Christopher Columbus reached America – was the first to be held in the Sistine Chapel. In the mid-1200s, the election of a new pope took nearly three years. In 2013, less dramatically, Francis was elected after five ballots held over two days.

Francis died on April 21, age 88, after suffering a series of health problems, including a cardiac arrest.