Breaking: White smoke emerges at the Vatican as a new pope is elected

The gathered crowds in the Vatican are filled with cheering and celebration.

Flags waved, and people embraced each other as the search for the next leader of the Catholic Church concluded.

People are jumping up in joy, while some are praying to the sky. A couple from Greece describes it as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience,” adding that they will wait to see the new pope appear on the balcony.

The sound here is tremendous, the bells are ringing so loudly it’s reverberating around the square as people cheer and scream with joy.