A new pope has been elected.
American Robert Francis Prevost has been named Pope Leo XIV.
White smoke was seen shortly after 6 p.m. local time in Rome on Thursday (May 8), signalling that the 133 cardinal electors gathered in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel have elected a new pope, according to Vatican News on X. The post adds he will appear soon at the central window of St. Peter's Basilica.
The conclave to elect the 267th pope only began Wednesday.
The white smoke, which comes from a temporary stove in the Sistine Chapel, signals that a pope has been elected. The white smoke goes on for several minutes.
As soon as the smoke appeared, cheers erupted from outside of the Vatican.
More to come.
