White smoke billowed from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, followed by the triumphant ringing of bells at St. Peter's Basilica, announcing that the Roman Catholic Church's 133 cardinal electors had selected a new pope some two weeks after the death of Pope Francis.
White smoke! The 133 Cardinal electors gathered in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel have elected the new Pope. He will appear soon at the central window of St. Peter's Basilica. pic.twitter.com/XejI7mY43m
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 8, 2025
The conclave, which began on Wednesday, May 7, concluded with the election of the 267th pontiff to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, succeeding Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at age 88.
The secretive process unfolded in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, where cardinals under the age of 80 gathered to vote, requiring a two-thirds majority to elect the new leader. Black smoke had emerged on Wednesday evening and earlier Thursday, indicating no decision after initial rounds of voting. However, the white smoke on Thursday evening, coupled with the bells, confirmed a successful election, sparking cheers from thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square.
According to CBS News, the conclave involved cardinals from six continents, with 108 of the 133 electors appointed by Pope Francis, reflecting his push for a more global and inclusive Church. The process, steeped in centuries-old tradition, saw the cardinals sequestered in the Sistine Chapel, cut off from the outside world, with signal jammers ensuring secrecy. After each voting round, ballots were burned, with chemicals used to produce black or white smoke to signal the outcome.
While no official candidates are named, The Guardian reported speculation around figures like Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's top diplomat, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, a reformist from the Philippines. The new pope's identity remains unknown until the senior cardinal deacon steps onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to declare, "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; Habemus Papam" ("I announce to you a great joy: We have a pope"). The pontiff will then appear to deliver his first blessing.
