On Thursday, white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel and the bells of St. Peter's rang, signaling the election of a new pope following the death of Pope Francis. Cardinal electors voted in seclusion, and the identity of the new pontiff will soon be revealed. While no clear favorites had emerged, several cardinals, including Pietro Parolin and Luis Antonio Tagle, were seen as frontrunners. The new pope's election comes with the expectation to either continue Francis' reform agenda or return to conservative approaches in guiding the Church.
The election came on the first full day of voting by the 133 cardinal electors, who secluded themselves behind the Vatican's medieval walls on Wednesday afternoon.
Pope Francis died on April 21 after ruling the 1.4-billion member Church for 12 years. During his reign he sought to open up the staid institution to the modern world.
The new pope will then step forward to deliver his first public address and blessing to the gathered crowds.
While no clear favourites had emerged to succeed him, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle were considered the frontrunners.
Collection
[
|
...
]