White smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel Thursday, signaling that the conclave to elect a new pope has chosen the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Just after 6 p.m. local time in Vatican City (noon ET), white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney as bells rang, which symbolized that the conclave had reached the two-thirds majority necessary for a new pope.
Previous votes, which resulted in black smoke coming from the chapel, meant that a vote was inconclusive and did not reach a decision.
The papal conclave began on May 7 with 133 electors, the largest number of voting cardinals in history.
A crowd of more than 10,000 people had gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday to await the results of the votes.
The newly elected pope will soon appear on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where he will be introduced to the world.