The Diocese of Manchester will hold a special mass at 6 this evening to celebrate the election of a new pope.
Bishop Peter Libasci will lead the mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Manchester.
Diocese Spokesman Kevin Donovan says the announcement of a new pope comes very early, compared to previous elections.
“The earliest that a pope has been elected in 100s of years was on the first day, and this is the second day, so still fairly early, which means there was consensus early on among the electors, the cardinals, electing the pope.”
White smoke began billowing out of the chimney on the Sistene Chapel in St. Peter’s Square just before 2:30, signaling a new pope had been chosen.