A wave of jubilation swept through St. Peter’s Square on Thursday evening as white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of a new pope—the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Thousands of pilgrims, clergy, and tourists erupted into cheers as bells rang out across the Vatican, confirming that the cardinal electors had reached a decisive vote.
The election follows the death of Pope Francis, the Argentine-born pontiff who passed away last month after a 12-year papacy marked by reform, compassion, and controversy.
The momentous development was the result of intense deliberations by 133 cardinals from across five continents, the largest and most globally representative conclave in Church history.
Locked inside the Sistine Chapel since Wednesday afternoon and bound by strict secrecy, their only form of public communication was the traditional smoke signal—black for no decision, white for a successful vote.
After two rounds of inconclusive votes that sent up black smoke, the white smoke at 6:00 p.m. local time (1600 GMT) confirmed the election of a new pontiff.
The new pope’s identity remains undisclosed for now, but he is expected to appear imminently on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver his first message and blessing.
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According to tradition, the newly elected pope is currently in the Room of Tears, where pontiffs have long taken a private moment to absorb the weight of their new role and change into papal vestments.
Afterward, he will return to the Sistine Chapel where cardinals will kneel and pledge their obedience.
Then, in front of a global audience, a senior cardinal will emerge on the central balcony and announce the historic words: “Habemus Papam” (We have a pope), followed by the new pope’s chosen name and his first “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and the World) blessing.
The election comes at a time of unprecedented global upheaval, including ongoing wars, rising nationalism, and societal divisions that have shaken institutions worldwide.
Within the Church, the new pope inherits pressing challenges—ranging from the long-standing sexual abuse crisis and financial scandals in the Vatican, to sharp theological rifts and dwindling congregations in Europe and North America.
Despite the uncertainty, there is hope that the new pontiff will bring unity and clarity to a Church struggling to find its place in a fast-changing world.
While speculation has been rife, the identity and background of the newly elected pontiff will soon be revealed.
With 80% of the cardinal electors appointed by Pope Francis, many analysts had predicted the election of someone aligned with his reformist vision—possibly from the Global South, where Catholicism continues to grow.
Yet the conclave faced a complex decision: to elect a pastoral leader or a seasoned diplomat, a progressive voice or a conservative stabilizer, a Curia insider or a bishop from the Church’s rapidly expanding frontiers.
The papal inauguration Mass is expected within the next week and will draw heads of state, religious leaders, and millions of faithful from around the world. The new pope will also conduct a ceremonial first ride through St. Peter’s Square in the popemobile, greeting pilgrims and laying out his vision in a homily.
As the world waits with bated breath, all eyes now turn to the Basilica’s balcony—for the name, the face, and the first words of the man who will lead 1.4 billion Catholics into a new chapter of their faith.