New Pope elected after four votes; Filipino cardinals involved

Black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney early Thursday morning, but by Thursday evening (PH time), white smoke signaled that a new Pope had been elected after only four rounds of voting.

Three Filipino cardinals—Luis Antonio Tagle, Pablo Virgilio David, and Jose Advincula—are part of the conclave to decide the next pope; Tagle cast his vote among the 133 cardinal-electors who reached a two-thirds majority for the papal successor.

Francis died on Easter Monday aged 88 after 12 years at the helm of the Church, and the new pope will now choose a name and retire to the 'Room of Tears' before appearing on St. Peter's loggia to impart the blessing Urbi et Orbi.

The election concluded during the second round of voting with white smoke seen around 6:20 p.m. or 12:20 a.m. (Philippine time), prompting jubilation from onlookers chanting 'Habemus Papam!' as they waved flags from various countries.

The new Pope is set to lead the Catholic Church's 1.4 billion members and will face challenges including the Ukraine-Russia war, Pakistan-India skirmish, and Rohingya issue in Myanmar.