The temporary chimney at the top of the Sistine Chapel released a white smoke helmet on Thursday, signaling that the 133 cardinals working inside had reached a majority of two-thirds to choose a new pope for the Catholic Church.
American cardinal Robert Presse was declared a choice to replace Pope Francis.
Bells in the Basilica of St. Peter rose and the crowds cheered as the white smoke escaped from the chimney.
The new leader of the Catholic Church was selected against the backdrop of the third round of voting for a conclave.
Recent developments
May 8, 13:32
Cardinal Prevost announces a papal name as Leo XIV
Cardinal Robert Presses chose the name Leo XIV, Senior Cardinal Deacon announced.
John, the most popular name chosen among the cardinals, is used 23 times. Gregory has been used 16 times, and Benedict has been selected 16 times.
The only name that is not allowed to use is Peter, who is an unwritten rule in the Catholic Church, respecting the first Pope, St. Peter.
May 8, 13:21
Robert Presho comes out on the Vatican’s balcony
The American cardinal Robert Presses stands on the balcony of the facade of the Basilica “St. Peter” as a new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
May 8, 13:21
‘Habemus papam’ or ‘we have a declared pope “
Senior Cardinal Deacon, which stands on the balcony of the facade of the Basilica “St. Peter”, overlooking the square of St. Peter and declared in Latin: “Nunto vobis gaudium magnum: habemus papam” – “I declare you great joy: we have a pope.”
May 8, 12:45
Trump commented on Pope’s selection
Asked at a White House ceremony to commemorate military mothers for his reaction to a new pope, President Donald Trump has acknowledged the news outside the Vatican.
“I have seen Dima, but I have not seen the Pope,” he said before leaving the east room.
May 8, 12:54
Crowds on Vatican Square Wait for a new pope to appear
Thousands of people have gathered at Vatican Square to witness the first appearance of the newly elected Pope.
The white smoke was released from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday night, which meant that 133 voting cardinals reached two -thirds to select the next leader of the Catholic Church.
The crowds cheered as the smoke appeared and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang.
The new pope is expected to turn to the crowd to the iconic red velvet curtains lining the central balcony of the basilica.
Photo: The faithful responds to the white smoke showing that a new pope has been selected in the Vatican, May 8, 2025 (Dylan Martinez/Reuters)
Photo: The priests respond to white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, which shows that a new pope has been chosen in the Vatican, May 8, 2025 (Marco Jurika/Reuters)
Photo: The faithful respond to white smoke from the chimney of the Sixtuish Chapel showing that a new pope has been selected in the Vatican, May 8, 2025 (Claudia Greco/Reuters)
May 8, 12:34
This marks one of the shortest conclaves in history
The conclave to choose the 267th Pope ended after the second day of voting on Thursday, marking one of the shortest conclusions in history.
In the most recent history, there are only two other cases in which a hinge was selected after only two days of vote, first for Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, and the second for Pope Francis in 2013.
May 8, 12:35
White smoke is surprised by the chimney of the Sistine Chapel
White smoke was seen to be broadcast by the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, which shows that two third votes have been achieved to choose a new pope.
Thousands of people cheered on Vatican Square when the smoke appeared.
May 8, 11:53
Chimney stored on an attic of the Sistine Chapel before a conclave
The Vatican Expert Butorak told ABC News that before the conclave began, the chimney stack that launched smoke, which warned the public, whether the cardinals had chosen a new pope is stored on an attic in the Sistine Chapel.
Before the chimney was installed on May 2 on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, Butorak said he had lived on the ceiling of the chapel leaning against a wall.
Together with the cardinal voters Butak said that other people working in the Vatican – those who press the elevators’ buttons, the drivers who take the clergy members from Santa Martha to the Sistine Chapel and even the florist – are also required to take an oath to ensure the secretion of the lock.
Additional priests who are available to give recognition to the cardinals during the conclave are also obliged to take the oath of secrecy, Butak said.
May 8, 11:08
The crowds are filled in the Vatican as the afternoon session begins
The crowds begin to fill the Vatican Square as the afternoon session on the second day of the Conclava begins.
If on schedule, the voices that the cardinals should return to the Sistine Chapel after their lunch break.
A third smoke signal is expected at 7 am (13:00 ET). Black smoked from the chimney on Thursday morning.
Photo: The faithful are collected at St. Peter Square to expect smoke from the chimney installed on the roof of the Sistine Chapel on the second day of the Cardinals Conclave, in the Vatican, May 8, 2025 (Angelo Karkoni/EPA/Shutterstock)
May 8, 10:58
How many cardinals are there in the conclave?
While all the cardinals are summoned to the Vatican at the death of the Pope, only those under the age of 80 have the right to participate in a conclave.
Photo: The procession of the cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel before the start of the conclave to choose a new pope in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, May 7, 2025 (Vatican Media/AFP via Getty Images)
There are currently 252 cardinals worldwide. Of the total number of Cardinals, 135 have the opportunity to serve in a conclave as cardinal voters, which is the largest number in history. Two voters told the Vatican that they would not be able to participate in the present conclave for health reasons.
-BK Christopher Watson
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