
This photograph shows white smoke rising from the chinmey of the Sistine Chapel signaling that cardinals elected a new pope during their conclave in the Vatican on May 8, 2025. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)
WHITE SMOKE RISES, NEW POPE ELECTED AT VATICAN
White smoke billowed from the chimney atop the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signalling that the 133 cardinals inside have elected a new pope.
They picked a successor to Pope Francis on the second day of voting, but the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics will have to wait for the official announcement from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to learn who he is.
133 Cardinals hold mass head of conclave to elect new Pope
Crowds erupt into cheers in St Peter’s Square.
The new pope is expected to appear on the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square shortly.
A senior cardinal will confirm the decision with the words “Habemus Papam” – Latin for “we have a Pope” – and introduce the new pontiff by his chosen papal name.
More details later….