New Pope Elected | Papal Conclave Updates | White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang out on Thursday evening, marking the election of a new pope to lead the 1.4-billion-strong Roman Catholic Church, following the death of Pope Francis last month.
On the first full day of voting, 133 cardinal-electors reached a two-thirds majority to choose the new pontiff. An emotional crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square cheered as the symbolic white smoke rose at 6:08 p.m. local time, signalling that the secret papal conclave had reached its decision.
Vatican Prepares to Reveal New Pope
The identity of the new pope and the name he has chosen will be revealed shortly from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. He is expected to then deliver his first Urbi et Orbi blessing and address the faithful assembled in the square and around the world.
Speculation ahead of the conclave had focused on a few frontrunners, including:
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy), longtime Vatican Secretary of State
- Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines), a strong voice for reform
- Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline (France),
- Cardinal Peter Erdo (Hungary),
- Cardinal Robert Prevost (USA),
- Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy),
- Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David (Philippines)
A Turning Point for the Catholic Church
Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, after a 12-year papacy that pushed for progressive reform, including discussion on the ordination of women, better LGBTQ+ inclusion, and decentralising the Church’s authority.
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Cardinals faced a pivotal choice — whether to elect a pope who will continue Francis’ legacy of reform, or choose a more traditionalist figure to steer the Church in a conservative direction.
Behind Closed Doors: The Papal Conclave
The cardinals were sequestered inside the Vatican, without access to the outside world — no phones, no internet — and sworn to strict secrecy. All communication was symbolised through smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney: black for no decision, white for a chosen pope.
After an initial inconclusive vote on Wednesday and two more Thursday morning, the successful vote was held Thursday afternoon.
As the world waits for the “Habemus Papam” announcement, anticipation runs high over what the new papacy will mean for global Catholicism.
