Pope Elected -- White Smoke and Bells Signal Quick Decision
Bells rang at St. Peter’s Basilica and white smoke streamed from the chimney atop the Sistine chapel on Tuesday evening announcing the election of a new pope for the Roman Catholic Church.
Bells rang at St. Peter’s Basilica and white smoke streamed from the chimney atop the Sistine chapel on Tuesday evening announcing the cardinals’ election of a new pope for the Roman Catholic Church.
The bells rang at 6:04 p.m. (12:04 EDT) as crowds cheered and clapped in the square. Many chanted, “Viva il Papa!” or “Long live the pope!” according to the Associated Press.
The pope was elected on just the fourth ballot. Pilgrims started to stream into St. Peter’s square to see who it will be. The new leader of over 1 billion faithful is expected to appear in St. Peter’s square.
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“Habemus papam!” yelled Niels hendric, a 40-year-old salesman from Hamburg, Germany as he shouted for joy into his cell phone. The Latin phrase means, “We have a pope.”
Another onlooker, Antoinette Hastings, from Kent Island, Md., arose from her wheelchair crying and clasping her hands together.
“I feel blessed, absolutely blessed,” she said according to the associated press. “I just wish the rest of my family were here to experience this with me.”
