1939 Press Photo Crowds See White Smoke at Vatican Square Obelisk Pope Pacelli

Crowds at the obelisk in the square before St. Peter's are shown cheering the white smoke which gave the first indication that the Sacred College of Cardinals had chosen a new Pope. The smoke rose from burning ballot papers in a small iron stove in the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican, where Cardinal Pacelli was elected to the Papacy.

Photo is dated 1939.

Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches.