Holy white smoke, we have a new pope!

VATICAN CITY — White smoke streamed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signaling to the world that the 133 Roman Catholic cardinals inside have elected a new pope.

The identity of the new pontiff is not yet known. Vatican officials are expected to announce his name in Latin from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica shortly.

Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, a 73-year-old Frenchman born in Morocco, is expected to make the announcement — unless he himself is elected pope.

Then the new pope himself will appear and address the crowd.

Rome is brimming with excitement, as thousands gather near the Via della Conciliazione to be present for the historic moment when the new pope is announced and presented to the world.

While the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics await the emergence of the new leader of their church on the famous loggia, a series of rituals are taking place.

Once a successful vote is complete, the most senior cardinal asks the newly elected pope, “Do you accept your canonical election as supreme pontiff?”

After he accepts, he is then asked, “What name do you wish to be called?”

The cardinal electors then pay homage and pledge obedience to the new head of the church, and thanks are given to God while the new pope is taken into a sacristy and fitted with papal attire.

Finally, the pronouncement is made in Latin — “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!” (“I bring you tidings of great joy: We have a pope!”) — and the new pope gives an apostolic blessing to throngs of faithful.

The new pontiff was chosen by 133 cardinal electors by a two-thirds majority.

 

South Korea says it has reached a deal with the US for the release of workers in a Georgia plant

More than 300 South Korean workers were detained in an immigration raid on Thursday. Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said South Korea plans to send a charter plane to bring the workers home.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to resign

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has expressed his intention on Sunday to step down following growing calls from his party to take responsibility for a historic defeat in July's parliamentary election.

Fantasy or faith? One company’s AI-generated Bible content stirs controversy

"The AI Bible is a way to really bring these stories to life in a way that people have never seen before. Think of if we were like, the Marvel Universe of faith," said one of the site's creators.

A teen nicknamed ‘God’s influencer’ is becoming the first millennial saint

Carlo Acutis, who died of leukemia at 15 in 2006, is known in the Catholic Church as "God's influencer" for harnessing technology to spread the word about miracles.

Russia assaults Ukraine with over 800 drones and decoys, the largest such attack in the war

Russia hit Ukraine's capital with drone and missiles Sunday in the largest aerial attack on the country since the war began.

West Point alumni group scraps prestigious award celebrations honoring Tom Hanks

The 69-year-old actor and veterans' advocate had been scheduled to receive the prestigious Sylvanus Thayer award at an official ceremony and parade on Sept. 25.

More Front Page Coverage