In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope, taking the name Leo XIV, and becoming the first American-born pope in the Church’s 2,000-year history on May 8.
As white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica ring out, the world receives the joyful news: Habemus Papam — We have a Pope! But what exactly unfolds behind the scenes before this historic announcement is made?
Habemus Papam! White smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 6:10 p.m. Rome time (9:40 p.m. IST) today, marking the successful election of a new pope — the 267th successor of St. Peter and spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
The first day of the conclave to elect the 267th Pope concluded without success, as black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 9:00 p.m. on May 8, Wednesday, indicating no candidate received the required two-thirds majority vote.
No Pope was elected on the first day of the conclave to choose the 267th successor of St. Peter. Black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 9:00 p.m. on May 7, Wednesday, signaling that the initial round of voting had concluded without a successful result.
In a deeply prayerful moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal electors gathered this morning at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica to celebrate the Missa pro eligendo Romano Pontifice—the Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff—just hours before the Conclave to elect the 267th Successor of St. Peter begins.
In a pivotal gathering ahead of the papal conclave, the twelfth and final General Congregation of Cardinals convened on Tuesday May 6 at 9:00 AM in the Vatican.
In a solemn act of preparation for the much-anticipated Conclave, Vatican officials formally sealed the entrances to the Apostolic Palace on the evening of May 6, signaling the Church’s readiness to enter a sacred time of discernment and decision.
As the Catholic Church prepares for the start of the Conclave on Wednesday, May 7, the Holy See Press Office has released detailed media access guidelines for journalists and broadcast teams covering the historic event in St. Peter’s Square.
As the world turns its gaze toward the Vatican in anticipation of the election of the 267th successor of St. Peter, a centuries-old chapel—modest in size but boundless in spiritual power—once again takes center stage.
Only five cardinals alive today have the rare distinction of participating in the last two papal conclaves that elected Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. These same five will now once again take part in the upcoming conclave to elect the next pope.
Preparations for the upcoming papal conclave are underway in the Vatican, as workers have installed the iconic chimney atop the Sistine Chapel—the most recognized symbol of the election process for a new Pope on May 2.
The eighth General Congregation of Cardinals convened this morning in the Vatican, bringing together over 180 Cardinals—more than 120 of them electors—in preparation for the upcoming conclave on May 2.
The economic and pastoral priorities of the Church were at the heart of discussions during the seventh General Congregation of Cardinals held on Wednesday, April 30, in Vatican City.
The College of Cardinals, currently gathered in Rome for General Congregations ahead of the upcoming conclave, has issued a heartfelt appeal to all Catholics around the world to accompany them in prayer.
The Jubilee of Persons with Disabilities began with a solemn Mass celebrated by Archbishop Rino Fisichella at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, calling for greater inclusion and dignity for all people, especially those living with disabilities, on April 28.
The College of Cardinals gathered for their sixth General Congregation on April 29, Tuesday morning in the New Synod Hall, where 183 cardinals were present, including over 120 cardinal electors.
The conclave to elect the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church will commence on May 7th, 2025, following the Novemdiales Masses for the eternal repose of the late Pope Francis.
