Does white smoke emerging from Sistine Chapel signals new Pope being elected? Details explored

According to PBS News, white smoke is currently erupting from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel chimney. Traditionally, this means that a new pope has been chosen. The process of electing a new pope dates back to the 19th century, and the white smoke signals to the world that a cardinal has been elected to occupy the revered position.

After the white smoke was noticed around 6:07 pm late afternoon on May 8, 2035, More than 20,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers and shouted “Viva il papa!” The gathered crowd waved flags representing different countries of the world. Observers speculate that the white smoke means that the newly elected spiritual head has secured at least 89 votes of the 133 cardinals entrusted to name a successor after the late Pope Francis.

It is expected that the new pope will be announced later when a top cardinal proclaims:

“Habemus Papam!” — Latin for “We have a pope!” — from the loggia of the basilica.

This is followed by a reading of the winner’s birth name and the name he has chosen for office. The new pope then makes his first official public appearance and blesses the crowd from the loggia.

Election process explored as white smoke from the Vatican signals the announcement of a new pope

On the night of May 7, 2025, spectators observed black smoke pouring from the chapel chimney, which signaled that the first ballot was underway. The process reportedly began more than four hours after 133 cardinals in bright red cassocks filed into the Sistine Chapel to take their oaths at the beginning of the conclave.

The proceedings were led by the 70-year-old Secretary of State under Pope Francis’ administration, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The voting process is as follows:

Each Cardinal writes the name of his candidate on a paper that features the words

“Eligo in summen pontificem” — “I elect as supreme pontiff.”

They approach the altar one after the other and pronounce the following words:

“I call as my witness, Christ the Lord, who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who, before God, I think should be elected.”

The folded ballot is placed on a plate and then thrown inside a silver and gold urn. After the voting process is complete, three different scrutineers reveal the votes and announce them loudly for all to hear.

Read More:

1) Papal conclave begins: All we know so far a new pope to be elected after Pope Francis' passing

2) Who are the leading candidates for Pope election? All we know so far

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