White smoke! What happens next?
At about 12:10 p.m. eastern time, white smoke appeared from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. A new pope has been elected. In about one hour we will learn who the College of Cardinals has elected the next Supreme Pontiff.
The new pope will be dressed in his white vestments. He will then be taken to the Room of Tears (Stanza delle Lacrime) for private reflection.
Soon, the Protodeacon of the College of Cardinals will step onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, declaring “Habemus Papam!” (“We have a pope!”) We will then learn the name the new pope has chosen for himself.
After that, the new pope will come out onto the balcony and bless the crowd at St. Peter’s Square and all the world with his first Urbi et Orbi (“To the City and the World”) blessing.
According to OSV News:
“Within days of his election (in Pope Francis’ case, it was six), the new pope formally inaugurates his ministry as pope and Bishop of Rome during a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. At the liturgy, the new pope receives the pallium — a circular band of white wool, with six small black crosses, that is worn about the neck and shoulders only by the pope and, following his authorization, archbishops. The new pope also receives the papal ring, known as the fisherman’s ring.”
Featured image: White smoke billows from the chimney of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel May 8, 2025, indicating a new pope has been elected. (OSV News photo/Hannah McKay, Reuters)
