Breaking: New Pope Elected as White Smoke Rises Over Vatican

The Roman Catholic Church has elected a new pope – the 267th in its 2,000-year history – following the death of Pope Francis last month.

White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney shortly after 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT), signalling that a two-thirds majority had been reached among the cardinals gathered in conclave.

Thousands of people packed into St Peter’s Square erupted in cheers as the bells of the basilica rang out. Many waved flags and handkerchiefs in scenes of celebration that echoed around the historic Vatican enclave.

The new pope, whose identity remains unknown, is expected to appear on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica within the hour. He will be introduced with the traditional Latin phrase “Habemus Papam” and deliver his first address to the world.

This conclave – the largest in Church history, with 133 cardinals from across five continents – began on Wednesday. Earlier rounds of voting had failed to yield a result, with black smoke rising from the chapel on Wednesday evening and again on Thursday afternoon.

The new pontiff takes the helm at a time of significant change for the Church. While its global membership continues to grow, particularly in Africa and Asia, it faces deep internal challenges – from the ongoing fallout of clerical abuse scandals to financial mismanagement and calls for reform.

The successor to Pope Francis, a reformist Argentine who led the Church for 12 years, now assumes the spiritual leadership of more than 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.