White smoke from the Sistine Chapel on Thursday signaled that the cardinals have selected the next leader of the Catholic Church.

A top cardinal announces a new pope has been elected, uttering the words “Habemus papam!” Latin for “We have a pope!” from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. The new pope is expected to make his first public appearance and impart a blessing.

Cardinals are meeting in a secret, sacred conclave for a second day as they seek a new pontiff to follow Pope Francis

The conclave to select the next pope has begun after Catholic cardinals from across the world filed into the Sistine Chapel Wednesday before sealing themselves inside.

Black smoke soared into the sky on the first vote of the second day of the papal conclave. The cardinals can vote up to four times each day.

On their second day of voting, the cardinals elected a new Pope - marked by white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the ringing of the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica. NBC News’ international correspondent Claudio Lavanga,