White Smoke: Identity Of New Pope Revealed (See)

White smoke billowed over the Vatican on Thursday to signal a cardinal has been elected as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church.

Why it matters: The newly elected pope, who has not yet been publicly named, will take over a church with some 1.4 billion members worldwide. But the new pope’s power will transcend the faith community as he assumes a role with vast diplomatic and social influence.

The pope will be presented to the public in short order to give a blessing from the balcony at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Driving the news: The candidate received the required two-thirds majority of cardinal electors to become the next pope, on the second day of voting in the internationally watched papal conclave.

The new pope was chosen during either the fourth or fifth round of voting after one vote on Wednesday and two votes on Thursday morning yielded no consensus among the cardinals.

Context: The more than 130 cardinals participating in the conclave, which began Wednesday, took an oath of absolute secrecy before voting began in the Sistine Chapel.

Catch up quick: Pope Francis’ death last month set the conclave in motion, bringing Cardinals from around the world to the Vatican to usher in a new era of Catholic leadership.

During his chapter of the church, Francis championed historically progressive stances, such as spreading climate change awareness and advocating for immigrants’ rights and inclusivity toward LGBTQ+ people.