Cardinals announce a new Pope has been chosen; AP explains
White smoke poured from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the great bells of St. Peter's Basilica tolled Thursday after cardinals elected the 267th pope to lead the Catholic Church on the second day of their conclave.
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Local Catholic faith leaders greeted with enthusiasm the election of the first pope from the United States — and from Illinois.
"We were all on pins and needs when we saw the white smoke," said Fr. Michael Berndt, director of campus ministry and chaplain for the Newman Catholic Community at Eastern Illinois University.
Students at Decatur's Catholic schools watched the white smoke appear above the Vatican that signals a new pope has been chosen.Â
