The Catholic Church has entered a new era. On May 8, 2025, at exactly 6:08 PM local time, white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. This ancient signal means only one thing: a new pope has been chosen.
Crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers as they watched the smoke billow into the evening sky. The signal came after several rounds of intense voting, held behind closed doors by the College of Cardinals. The decision marks the end of the conclave and the beginning of a new papacy—making this the 267th pontiff in Catholic history.
Waiting for the Name
Although the white smoke confirms that a pope has been selected, his identity is still unknown. According to tradition, Vatican officials will soon announce “Habemus Papam”—Latin for “We have a Pope”—from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The newly elected pope will then appear before the crowd to offer his first public blessing, known as the “Urbi et Orbi,” meaning “to the city and to the world.” Until that moment, the world can only guess who will lead the Church next.
The Largest Conclave in History
This conclave was especially significant. It was the largest in the Church’s history, with 133 cardinal-electors from across the globe. All participating cardinals were under the age of 80, as required by Vatican rules.
To elect a pope, a candidate must receive at least two-thirds of the vote. That means at least 89 cardinals had to agree on one name. It took four rounds of voting to reach that decision. The ballots are burned in a special stove inside the Sistine Chapel. A chemical is added to the smoke—white for a successful vote, black if no decision is made.
A Church in Transition
This moment comes after the passing of Pope Francis, who served as a deeply influential and often reform-minded leader. The new pope steps into a complex and changing world. He will be tasked with guiding the Church through issues like secularism, political polarization, climate change, and internal reform.
Catholics around the globe are watching with hope. Many are praying for a leader who is compassionate, wise, and able to connect with the younger generation while remaining true to the faith’s core values.
The World Watches and Waits
As the bells of St. Peter’s ring out, millions around the world now wait for the new pope to appear. The decision made inside the Sistine Chapel will affect more than 1.3 billion Catholics—and likely, world affairs far beyond the Church.
The moment is solemn, joyful, and full of anticipation. A new spiritual journey begins—not just for the man elected, but for the entire Catholic Church.
