White Smoke Signals Election of New Pope at Vatican

Tone & Political Bias: Center

Why: The report presents neutral, fact-based coverage of the papal conclave without subjective commentary or ideological framing.

White Smoke Marks Election of 267th Pope

On May 8, 2025, at 6:07 p.m. local time, white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, confirming that the College of Cardinals had successfully elected a new pope. This moment followed four rounds of voting over two days inside the Vatican, after the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025.

The conclave brought together 133 cardinal electors representing more than 70 countries. According to Vatican rules, a two-thirds majority—at least 89 votes—was required to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church.

Awaiting the New Pope’s Identity

Following tradition, the identity of the newly chosen pope was to be announced shortly after the white smoke signal. The announcement, known as "Habemus Papam" ("We have a pope"), will be delivered by the cardinal protodeacon from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

After the declaration, the new pope will appear before the gathered faithful to deliver his first public blessing. At the time of reporting, the name of the new pontiff had not yet been revealed.

Background and Global Expectations

Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88, led the Catholic Church for over a decade and was widely seen as a progressive figure. His papacy focused on topics such as climate change, interfaith dialogue, social justice, and the inclusion of marginalized communities.

The incoming pope is expected to face significant challenges, including managing ideological divisions within the church, handling the Vatican's global diplomatic roles, and addressing humanitarian crises, including migration and global conflicts.

How the Conclave Works

The conclave formally began on May 7, 2025. Before voting commenced, all participating cardinals took an oath of secrecy. They were also required to surrender all electronic devices to maintain the confidentiality of the process.

Voting took place within the Sistine Chapel, where up to four ballots are held each day. If no candidate achieves the required two-thirds majority, the process continues until consensus is reached. The burning of ballots with a special chemical mixture produces either black or white smoke: black indicating no decision, white confirming the election of a pope.

What Happens Next?

After the announcement and blessing, the new pope will select his papal name and change into the white papal garments in a room adjacent to the Sistine Chapel known as the Room of Tears.

The global Catholic community, comprising over 1.3 billion faithful, now awaits the introduction of their new spiritual leader and the direction he will take the Church in the years to come.