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.
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
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.