The American Cardinal Robert Prevost is the new Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The name he chose as Pope is Leo XIV.

The official confirmation of the election came with the Latin phrase “Habemus Papam” from the head of the cardinals, who presented the new Pope, Leo XIV, to the crowd, whose birth name is Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost.

White smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of a new Pope on the second day of the conclave. His name and identity will be announced shortly.

With white smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican officially confirmed the completion of the cardinals’ secret vote to elect Pope Francis’s successor.

The conclave process has successfully concluded, but the identity of the new Pontiff has not yet been revealed. His first appearance is expected within the next hour, when he will be presented on the balcony of the Sistine Chapel.

A third round of voting is currently underway on the second day of the conclave at the Vatican, with cardinals meeting in isolation from the outside world.

The 133 members of the College of Cardinals are voting again in the Sistine Chapel after the unsuccessful first ballot on Tuesday. Throughout the process, conversations with outsiders are strictly prohibited to ensure absolute secrecy and independence of the vote.

While in the past some conclaves have lasted weeks or even months — with the longest lasting three full years, centuries ago — recent elections have typically concluded within a few days.

It is worth noting that the black smoke indicating no decision was made was emitted again just before 1 p.m. Greek time from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, where the conclave is convened to elect the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

Although today’s third vote is expected to be unsuccessful, another afternoon vote (around 7:00 pm) is scheduled. If no pope is elected today, up to four additional ballots will take place tomorrow.

The process is strictly formal and unchangeable: each cardinal writes his vote on a simple card with the Latin phrase “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (“I elect as Supreme Pontiff”), adding the name of his chosen candidate. Then, following their hierarchical order, the cardinals line up and deposit their votes into the ballot box.

Meanwhile, thousands of faithful have gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica, eagerly awaiting to see if a new pope will be announced today.