The new pope, US cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, will be known as Pope Leo XIV. It’s been a long while since we had a pope with this name: last Leo, Leo XIII, was elected in 1878 and served until his death in 1903.
It will be the French cardinal protodeacon Dominique Mamberti who will announce the new pope to the world, with the historic phrase: “Habemus Papam!”.
Unless, that it, he is the one who was elected!
Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti presides over the ninth Novendiale Mass during the mourning period for Pope Francis in Saint Peter’s Basilica earlier this month.Photograph: Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis/Getty Images
Joy in Vatican – in pictures
Priests embrace each other as they react to white smoke from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel indicating that a new pope has been elected. Photograph: Claudia Greco/ReutersPriests react to white smoke from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope has been elected.Photograph: Marko Đurica/Reuters
from St Peter’s Square
A man holds a placard reading “Habemus Papa” (We Have a Pope) after white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Photograph: Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty Images
There was a huge rush of journalists from the Vatican’s press centre who ran out on to the square to capture the immediate reaction.
The rumour, the feeling that it would happen today was starting to build throughout the day. That seems to have begun when Cardinal Battista Re said this morning that he hopes to see the white smoke today.
The atmosphere is absolutely incredible, I have never seen anything like it.
Swis guards march as white smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis. Photograph: Markus Schreiber/APLarge crowds celebrate on St Peter’s Square as they witness white smoke after a new pope is elected at the conclave. Photograph: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images
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