White smoke rose from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel this Thursday, signaling to the world that the Catholic Church has a new Pope.
The smoke was greeted with thunderous applause from thousands of pilgrims and tourists waiting in St. Peter's Square. It means one of the 133 cardinals has secured the necessary two-thirds majority to win the conclave - the secret, centuries-old ritual of electing a new Pope.
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The bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang to confirm the end of the conclave. The pope was elected on the second day of voting, after the fourth round, although his identity was not immediately known.
Pope Francis died in April, at the age of 88. His successor was chosen quickly, especially given the large number of cardinals participating in the conclave.
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