Watch: Habemus Papam! White Smoke Spotted As Conclave Chooses Its Next Pope
Habemus Papam! White smoke spotted above the Sistine Chapel.
The conclave’s voting process is steeped in tradition. Cardinals were fully secluded once inside the Sistine Chapel. After each secret ballot, the votes are burned. Black smoke signals no decision has been made. White smoke means a new pope has been chosen.
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And indeed, a new Pope has been chosen by the cardinals and will soon make his appearance on the balcony overlooking St Peter’s square.
First he will be going to La Sala Del Pianto (the weeping room) where the new Pontiff will take his first steps in his new role as leader of the Catholic Church. It is a small “weeping room” located in the sacristy of the Sistine Chapel, where the new Pope is often visibly moved and takes a moment to gather himself before making his first appearance on the balcony facing St. Peter’s square.
Hundreds of people assembled in St Peter’s square to await the smoke signal indicating that a new Pope has been chosen.
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