The appearance of white smoke above the Vatican shortly after 2 p.m. ET today announced the news: “We have a Pope.” It was immediately reported by the Associated Press and red-siren headlined at the Drudge Report.
Catholics worldwide now await the name of the new pontiff.
UPDATE: This will be the 266th Pope, Nicole Winfield of the Associated Press reports:
The pope, whose identity isn’t yet known, is due to emerge from the loggia overlooking St. Peter’s Square to deliver his first words as the bishop of Rome. …
Chants of `’Long live the pope!” rose from the throngs of faithful, many with tears in their eyes. … At least 50,000 people jammed into the square.
Elected on the fifth ballot, the pope was chosen in one of the fastest conclaves in years, remarkable given there was no clear front-runner going into the vote and that the church had been in turmoil following the upheaval unleashed by Pope Benedict XVI’s surprise resignation.
A winner must receive 77 votes, or two-thirds of the 115, to be named pope.
UPDATE II: Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio from Argentina will take the name Francis.
UPDATE III: Rachel Donadio of the New York Times:
The new pope, 76, Jorge Mario Bergoglio … is also the first non-European leader of the church in more than 1,000 years.
“I would like to thank you for your embrace,” said the new pope, dressed in white, speaking from the white balcony on St. Peter’s Basilica as thousands of the faithful cheered joyously below. Francis thanked his fellow cardinals, saying they “have chosen one from far away, but here I am.”
Blog commentary at The Gateway Pundit, Outside the Beltway and PolicyMic
This man does not live in the Cardinals' Palace, he has an apartment in the city - and rides the bus to work in the Vatican.
A good sign!
Pope Francis I, from Argentina (first Pope from outside Europe).
A new Pope and a new Blog, best wishes and best of luck to Viralread and RSM.
...and thank you, it's not DISQUS