The Catholic Church has a new pope! White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, announcing the end of the papal conclave. Following their strenuous deliberations, the 133 cardinals voted and selected the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics’ next leader.
White Smoke. Habemus Papam. We have a Pope pic.twitter.com/glXeqKf3cQ
— Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) May 8, 2025
Cardinal Dominique Mamberti will deliver the news of the name of the new pope from St. Peter’s Basilica, and the pope will then have his first outing to welcome the faithful. During the conclave, the cardinals were in seclusion, not allowed access to the external world, such that the entire selection process remains confidential and austere.
The election is a pivotal time for the Church, as it brings with it a new leadership era. The new pope’s identity is kept under wraps until the formal announcement, heightening the excitement among millions of Catholics across the globe.
