The temporary chimney atop the Sistine Chapel released a plume of white smoke on Thursday, signaling that the 133 cardinals working inside had reached a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope for the Catholic Church.
American cardinal Robert Prevost was announced as the choice to replace Pope Francis.
Bells at St. Peter’s Basilica rang and crowds cheered as the white smoke billowed from the chimney.
The new leader of the Catholic Church was chosen amid the third round of conclave voting.
Latest Developments
May 8, 1:32 PM
Cardinal Prevost announces papal name as Leo XIV
Cardinal Robert Prevost selected the name Leo XIV, a senior cardinal deacon announced.
John, the most popular name selected among cardinals, has been used 23 times. Gregory has been used 16 times, and Benedict has been chosen 16 times.
The only name that is not allowed to be used is Peter, which is an unwritten rule in the Catholic Church, paying respect to the first pope, Saint Peter.
May 8, 1:21 PM
Robert Prevost steps out onto Vatican balcony
American cardinal Robert Prevost stands on the balcony on the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
May 8, 1:21 PM
’Habemus papam’ or ‘We have a pope’ declared
A senior cardinal deacon, who stands on the balcony on the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica, overlooking St. Peter’s Square and declared in Latin: “Nuntio vobis gaudium magnum: habemus papam” – “I announce to you a great joy: We have a pope.”
May 8, 12:45 PM
Trump comments on pope selection
When asked at the conclusion of a White House ceremony honoring military mothers for his reaction to a new pope being chosen, President Donald Trump acknowledged the news out of the Vatican.
“I’ve seen the smoke, but I haven’t seen the pope,” he said before walking out of the East Room.
May 8, 12:54 PM
Crowds in Vatican Square wait for new pope to emerge
Thousands of people have gatherered in Vatican Square to witness the first appearance of the newly elected pope.
White smoke was released from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on Thursday evening, signifying that the 133 voting cardinals reached a two-thirds majority to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church.
Crowds cheered as the smoke emerged and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang.
The new pope is expected to address the crowd next to the iconic red velvet curtains lining the central balcony of the basilica.
PHOTO: Faithful react to the white smoke indicating that a new pope has been elected, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. (Dylan Martinez/Reuters)
PHOTO: Priests react to white smoke from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope has been elected, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. (Marko Djurica/Reuters)
PHOTO: Faithful react to white smoke from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel indicating that a new pope has been elected, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. (Claudia Greco/Reuters)
May 8, 12:34 PM
This marks one of the shortest conclaves in history
The conclave to elect the 267th pope ended after the second day of voting on Thursday, marking one of the shortest conclaves in history.
There are only two other instances in recent history where a pontiff was elected after only two days of voting, first for Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 and the second for Pope Francis in 2013.
May 8, 12:35 PM
White smoke billows from Sistine Chapel chimney
White smoke was seen emanating from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a two-thirds vote has been reached to elect a new pope.
Thousands of people cheered in Vatican Square when the smoke appeared.
May 8, 11:53 AM
Chimney stored in attic of Sistine Chapel prior to conclave
Vatican expert Mountain Butorac told ABC News that before a conclave begins, the chimney stack, which releases smoke alerting the public whether cardinals have elected a new pope, is stored in an attic in the Sistine Chapel.
Before the chimney was installed on May 2 on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, Butorac said it lived in the attic of the chapel, leaning against a wall.
Along with the cardinal electors, Butorac said other people working at the Vatican — those who press elevator buttons, drivers who take members of the clergy from Santa Marta to the Sistine Chapel and even the florist — are also required to take an oath to ensure the secrecy of the conclave.
Additional priests who are available to provide confession to cardinals during the conclave are also required to take the oath of secrecy, Butorac said.
May 8, 11:08 AM
Crowds fill into Vatican Square as afternoon session begins
Crowds are beginning to fill Vatican Square as the afternoon session of the second day of the conclave begins.
If on schedule, the voting cardinals should be back in the Sistine Chapel following their lunch break.
A third smoke signal is expected at 7 p.m. local time (1 p.m. ET). Black smoked emanated from the chimney on Thursday morning.
PHOTO: Faithful gather in St. Peter’s Square to await smoke from the chimney installed on the roof of the Sistine Chapel on the second day of the Conclave of Cardinals, in Vatican City, May 8, 2025. (Angelo Carconi/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)
May 8, 10:58 AM
How many cardinals are in the conclave?
While all cardinals are summoned to the Vatican upon the pope’s death, only those under the age of 80 are eligible to participate in the conclave.
PHOTO: The procession of Cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel before the start of the conclave to elect a new Pope in the Sistine chapel in The Vatican, May 7, 2025. (Vatican Media/AFP via Getty Images)
There are currently 252 cardinals worldwide. Of the total number of cardinals, 135 are age-eligible to serve in the conclave as cardinal electors, which is the largest number in history. Two electors told the Vatican that they would not be able to participate in the current conclave due to health reasons.
-ABC News’ Christopher Watson
DJ Kamal Mustafa
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