A new era begins for the Catholic Church.
On Thursday afternoon, May 8, 2025, white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of the 267th pope.
The billowing smoke sent waves of celebration through St. Peter’s Square, where thousands of faithful had gathered in anticipation.
The signal confirmed that the College of Cardinals, after days of deliberation, had reached a consensus.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, a Chicago-born priest, has emerged as the new pope.
Cardinal Prevost has just adopted the official name, “Pope Leo XIV”.
Pope Leo XIV is currently addressing Catholic faithfuls at the balcony of Saint Basilica Church.
Currently, there is widespread jubilation in the Vatican City after white smoke emerged from the chimney of Saint Basilica Church in Vatican City.
Black smoke had emerged since yesterday indicating that the vote for a new pope was inconclusive.
He will succeed Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88.
The announcement “Habemus Papam” (Latin for “We have a pope”) will soon be declared by the Cardinal Protodeacon from the balcony, introducing the new pontiff to the world.
Immediately following this momentous announcement, the new pope will offer the traditional Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) blessing — his first act as the leader of over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.
This marks the official end of the 2025 conclave, which began on May 7 with 133 cardinal-electors under the age of 80 casting ballots in secrecy inside the Sistine Chapel.
The Church, now looking ahead under new spiritual leadership, awaits the vision and direction of the man chosen to guide it through one of the most complex periods in modern history.
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