New Pope elected as white smoke rises over Vatican
A new pope has been elected at the Vatican as white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signaling a successful vote by the 133 Roman Catholic cardinals in conclave.
The decision, reached on the second day of the papal election, concludes a highly secretive process held entirely behind closed doors. While the identity of the new pontiff remains under wraps for now, it will be formally revealed to the world from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.
Cardinals had cast multiple ballots since beginning the conclave Wednesday afternoon, after the death of Pope Francis on 21 April at the age of 88. The Argentine pontiff was known for championing the rights of the poor and marginalized, and his successor will now inherit a deeply divided Church facing numerous global challenges.
The 2025 conclave was the largest in history, drawing cardinal electors from about 70 countries. About 80 percent of them were appointed by Francis, suggesting potential continuity with his reformist legacy, though divisions between progressives and conservatives remain sharp.
On Wednesday and earlier Thursday, black smoke had indicated failed ballots. The centuries-old method of burning votes, with chemicals added to color the smoke, remains the only public signal from the tightly guarded process. The cardinals are bound by oath to secrecy, and any leaks are punishable by excommunication.
As anticipation built, thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square to witness the symbolic smoke and await the announcement of a new spiritual leader for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. Among the names rumored to be in consideration were Cardinals Pierbattista Pizzaballa of Italy, Peter Erdo of Hungary, Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, and Malcolm Ranjith of Sri Lanka.
The new pope will take on the challenge of uniting a fractured Church, rebuilding trust after clerical abuse scandals, and addressing declining church attendance in the West—all amid growing global instability.
The Vatican is expected to introduce the new pontiff to the world in due course.
Credit: The New Arab
