White smoke billows from the conclave announcing new pope

Billowing white smoke poured from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel marking the election of the new pope from the 115 cardinals assembled. According to sources the pope was elected on a fifth ballot on only the second day.http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/13/world/europe/vatican-pope-selection/index.html

The new pope will lead the 1.2 billion Roman Catholics into an anticipated era hoping to reconcile progressive, charismatic and traditional Catholics. Millions of Catholics will be watching via television worldwide and thousand will be gathering in St. Peters’ Square to receive their first look at the new pope.

However, before things can proceed, the new pope must first agree to accept the election as the new Supreme Pontiff. After that the pope will be asked what name will be chosen where the pope will openly declare the name that he will be called. The ballots will be burned at the declaration and at that point the pope will be revealed to the masses.

The Vatican bell also rang out announcing the decision.

This is the moment where the 112th pope will be unveiled which is significant to prophesy buffs since the pronouncement is predicted to be the last pope in a long line of pontiffs. The significance is the last reigning pope will usher in the return of Christ. Pope Benedict XVI represented the 111th pope since the prediction.

Two top candidates were named Peter, however when the new pope choses his name, it could be also declared by any pope that received the two thirds vote from the cardinals. Peter the Roman is alleged to be name of the final pope.

http://www.examiner.com/article/pope-benedict-s-resignation-stuns-insiders-will-church-liberalize-traditions

The new pope will have a mammoth task in deciding if the church will continue to maintain is strong traditional values or make a gesture to reconcile the more liberal factions of the Roman Catholic Church. The majority of Catholics, including the African contingent, have strong conservative views and have rebuffed attempts to change the standards that Catholics have adhered to for thousands of years. An African cardinal was one of the front runners for the spiritual leader’s position.

Another cardinal from Rome was also a front runner and could have fulfilled the 112th pope prophesy to the letter, but there was no guarantee he would be voted in. The quick results in the voting indicate there was a short list of candidates for the pontiff position.