VATICAN CITY - White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday evening, signaling to the world that the College of Cardinals has elected a new pope to lead the Roman Catholic Church.

The smoke appeared at approximately 6:05 pm local time on May 8, 2025, marking the end of a two-day conclave in which 133 cardinal electors from around the globe gathered to choose a successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88 [1][2].

Cheers erupted from the thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square as the white smoke became visible, accompanied by the ringing of bells from St. Peter's Basilica [4][6]. The identity of the new pontiff, who will become the 267th pope in the Church's history, has not yet been revealed [7].

Cardinal Dominique Mamberti of France is expected to soon appear on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to make the formal announcement, proclaiming in Latin: "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus papam" - "I announce to you a great joy: We have a pope" [1].

The conclave began on Wednesday afternoon, with black smoke signaling inconclusive votes that evening and again on Thursday morning [13][15]. The white smoke indicates that one cardinal has secured the necessary two-thirds majority - at least 89 votes - to be elected pope [37].

"I hope by this evening, returning to Rome, I'll find white smoke," Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old dean of the College of Cardinals, had said earlier in the day [3]. His wish has now been fulfilled, as the Church prepares to enter a new era under fresh leadership.

The new pope is expected to appear on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica within the hour to deliver his first blessing to the city and the world, known as the "Urbi et Orbi" [29].

This conclave was notable for being the most geographically diverse in the Church's 2,000-year history, with cardinals hailing from 70 different countries [60]. The election of a new pope comes at a crucial time for the Catholic Church, which faces challenges including ongoing sexual abuse scandals, calls for doctrinal reforms, and global conflicts [46].

As the world awaits the revelation of the new pontiff's identity, Catholics and observers alike are eager to see what direction he will set for the Church's 1.4 billion members in the years to come.