White Smoke Signals Election of Pope Leo XIV as He Appears on St. Peter’s Basilica Balcony
The conclave involved 133 cardinal electors under age 80 and lasted two days
White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on May 8, 2025, signalling that the 133 cardinal electors have successfully elected a new pope to succeed Pope Francis, who died on April 21, 2025.
The white smoke, accompanied by the ringing of the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica, was greeted with cheers and applause from the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, marking the election of the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
Almost an hour after the white smoke, the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, to greet the crowd.
The conclave, which began on May 7, 2025, took just two days for the cardinals to elect the new pontiff, with the decision reportedly made on the fourth vote.
In his first comments in Italian, Pope Leo XIV says he wants this message of peace to “enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are.”
Paying tribute to Pope Francis, he urges the faithful to “move forward, without fear, united, hand in hand with God and with each other.”
He also thanks fellow Cardinals for choosing him for the role.
