White smoke billowed from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, signifying the election of a new Pope by the Catholic Church.
The new Pope succeeds the late Pope Francis, who passed away last month at the age of 88.
However, the identity of the newly elected pontiff has not yet been revealed, as the official announcement is still pending.
The white smoke emerged from the chimney on the second day of the Conclave, shortly after 1 p.m. on Thursday, indicating that one of the candidates secured the required two-thirds majority to be elected.
NEWS BULLETIN reports that the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square is now waiting eagerly for the new Pope to make his first appearance on the grand balcony overlooking the front of St. Peter’s Basilica.
