Roman Catholic Church Elects New Pope

By Ayodele Oni

After two days of rigorous deliberations, the much awaited and prayed for White Smoke came up, signaling the election, finally, of the new  Roman Catholic Church Pope. The white smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel Thursday evening, signaling the conclusion of the Papal conclave. On seeing the white smoke, thousands of people who had patiently waited went wild in joy.

The signal followed days of closed-door deliberations by the College of Cardinals, where 133 electors gathered to choose a successor to the Papal office.

Agency report stated that the sight of the smoke drew cheers from the thousands of worshippers and tourists waiting anxiously in St. Peter’s Square.

Attention now shifts to the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where the newly elected Pontiff is expected to make his first public appearance.

In line with centuries-old tradition, the senior Cardinal Deacon will formally announce the election with the Latin phrase “Habemus Papam”—meaning “We have a Pope”—before revealing the identity of the new leader of the Catholic Church.

The Pope will then deliver his first Apostolic blessing to the gathered crowd and the global Catholic community.