Thousands of faithful filled St. Peter’s Square, in the heart of the Vatican, with their eyes fixed on the Sistine Chapel’s chimney. The wait, filled with emotion, ended at 3 p.m. Brasília time on May 8, 2025, when white smoke announced the election of the new pope. The conclave, which began the previous day, brought together 133 voting cardinals in a process marked by secrecy and tradition. The crowd, composed of pilgrims from dozens of countries, erupted in applause and chants as the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang out.
The election of the new leader of the Catholic Church, representing 1.4 billion faithful, followed the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025. The conclave, held in the Sistine Chapel, adhered to centuries-old rituals, with secret ballots and the burning of ballots to signal the outcome. After two black smoke signals, indicating inconclusive rounds, the white smoke brought relief and hope to those present.
The process involved cardinals from five continents, reflecting the global diversity of the Church. Among the participants, seven Brazilians stood out, bringing a Latin American perspective to the discussions. Below are some key points that defined the conclave:
- Absolute secrecy: Cardinals swore to maintain confidentiality, under penalty of excommunication.
- Rigorous voting: Each candidate needed at least 89 votes.
- Preserved tradition: White smoke was produced with modern chemical compounds.
Attention now turns to the “Habemus Papam” announcement, when the new pope’s name and chosen pontifical title will be revealed. The moment, eagerly awaited, will mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Church.
Intense preparations in the Vatican
The organization of the conclave began shortly after Francis’s death. On April 28, the Sistine Chapel was closed to the public for the installation of equipment, such as the chimney that would signal the voting results. Vatican technicians conducted sweeps to ensure the absence of listening devices, while firefighters installed the visible pipe in St. Peter’s Square. General congregations, held between April 21 and May 6, gathered cardinals to discuss topics like evangelization and global crises.
On the morning of May 7, the Pro Eligendo Pontifice Mass marked the official start of the process. About 180 cardinals, including non-voters, participated in the ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica. At 11:30 a.m. Brasília time, the 133 electors entered the Sistine Chapel, where Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa led a meditation before the collective oath. The command “Extra omnes” (everyone out) signaled the total isolation of the participants, who began voting in an environment cut off from the outside world.
The smoke ritual and its evolution
The smoke, the conclave’s ultimate symbol, dates back to the 19th century, but its clarity results from recent innovations. Before 2005, burning ballots with wet straw (for white smoke) or pitch (for black smoke) caused confusion, with grayish tones that were hard to interpret. Since then, the Vatican has adopted precise chemical compounds, such as potassium chlorate and lactose for white smoke, and potassium perchlorate with anthracene for black.
The current system uses two furnaces: a traditional cast-iron one to burn the ballots and an electronic one to add the chemical compounds. Each pyrotechnic cartridge, with six smoke grenades, ensures visibility for seven minutes, even on cloudy days. The ritual, beyond its functionality, connects the faithful to the Church’s history, evoking centuries of tradition.
- Chemical compounds: Potassium chlorate and rosin for white smoke.
- Electronic furnace: Ensures precision in smoke emission.
- Guaranteed visibility: System designed for adverse conditions.
- Preserved tradition: Burning ballots maintains historical symbolism.
How the voting works
The conclave is governed by the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, which details each step of the process. The cardinals, housed in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, participate in up to four daily voting sessions, using rectangular ballots where they write the candidate’s name in capital letters. After counting, the ballots are burned, and the smoke reveals the election’s progress.
Each vote requires a candidate to secure two-thirds of the votes, or 89 out of 133 cardinals. If no consensus is reached after three days, a 24-hour pause is held for prayers. After 34 inconclusive votes, the process moves to a “runoff” between the top two candidates, maintaining the same quorum. The 2025 conclave, concluded in two days, demonstrates the pursuit of consensus in a diverse College of Cardinals.
Emotion in St. Peter’s Square
The white smoke transformed St. Peter’s Square into a scene of celebration. About 45,000 people, including pilgrims from Mexico, the Philippines, and Nigeria, filled the area, carrying flags and rosaries. Families embraced, while others followed the live broadcast on their phones. Journalists from 56 languages, according to Vatican News, underscored the event’s global reach.
The crowd awaited Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti, who would announce the “Habemus Papam” from the Basilica’s balcony. The moment, expected 30 to 60 minutes after the smoke, would be followed by the new pope’s first blessing, Urbi et Orbi. The choice of pontifical name, revealed at that moment, sparks speculation, with possibilities like John, Benedict, or an unprecedented name.
- Diverse crowd: Faithful from dozens of countries gathered.
- Global broadcast: Event covered in 56 languages.
- Awaited blessing: Urbi et Orbi marks the start of the pontificate.
Traditions of the papal announcement
The “Habemus Papam” is one of the conclave’s most anticipated moments. The cardinal protodeacon appears on the Basilica’s balcony and announces, in Latin, the elected pope’s baptismal name and pontifical title. In 2013, Francis’s election was announced 45 minutes after the white smoke, a standard interval for changing vestments and the cardinals’ oath.
Before appearing to the public, the new pope reflects in the Room of Tears, a space near the Sistine Chapel’s altar. The room’s name reflects the intense emotions of the elected, who face the responsibility of leading 1.4 billion faithful. Papal vestments, prepared in three sizes, ensure the new leader is ready for his presentation.
Chemistry behind the smoke
The production of smoke blends science and tradition. The cast-iron furnace, used since 1939, burns the ballots, while an electronic furnace adds chemical compounds. White smoke, made with potassium chlorate, lactose, and rosin, forms a thick, visible cloud. Black smoke, produced with potassium perchlorate, anthracene, and sulfur, signals a lack of consensus.
Each pyrotechnic cartridge contains six smoke grenades, lasting two minutes, ensuring seven minutes of continuous emission. The system, designed by experts like Massimiliano De Sanctis, was successfully used in the 2005 and 2013 conclaves. The process’s precision ensures the faithful in St. Peter’s Square receive the correct signal, even in adverse weather.
Diversity in the College of Cardinals
The 2025 conclave gathered 133 voting cardinals, representing the Church’s global diversity. With cardinals from five continents, the group included seven Brazilians: Leonardo Ulrich Steiner, João Braz de Aviz, Paulo Cezar Costa, Odilo Pedro Scherer, Raymundo Damasceno Assis, Geraldo Majella Agnelo, and José Freire Falcão. The presence of electors from Asia, Africa, and Latin America reflects Francis’s vision, who appointed 80% of the participants.
Discussions before the conclave, held in five general congregations, covered topics like evangelization, climate change, and global peace. The diversity of perspectives influenced the voting, with cardinals seeking a leader capable of uniting the Church in a world marked by conflicts and ethical challenges.
- Brazilian cardinals: Seven representatives from Brazil participated.
- Global vision: Electors from Asia and Africa gained prominence.
- Debated topics: Evangelization and global crises were central.
History of conclaves
Conclaves have remarkable histories. The longest, from 1268 to 1271, lasted nearly three years, leading to the term “conclave” (cum clave, with key), when cardinals were locked in to hasten the decision. The 1978 conclave, which elected John Paul I, lasted one day, but his 33-day pontificate was followed by another conclave, which chose John Paul II.
The 2025 conclave, lasting two days, aligns with the historical average of 3.2 days for the last ten conclaves. Its brevity reflects the pursuit of consensus in a diverse College of Cardinals, influenced by Francis’s vision of a missionary and inclusive Church.
Preparation of the new pope
After the election, the new pope undergoes a formal process. The master of liturgical ceremonies and the secretary of the College of Cardinals ask the elected if he accepts the choice. If confirmed, the cardinal chooses his pontifical name, a moment filled with symbolism. He then proceeds to the Room of Tears to reflect before donning the papal vestments.
The vestments, prepared in three sizes, include the white cassock, zucchetto, and pectoral cross. The Fisherman’s Ring, personalized for each pope, is delivered later, symbolizing his authority. The new pope, appearing on the balcony, delivers the Urbi et Orbi blessing, marking the start of his pontificate.
Timeline of events
The 2025 conclave followed a strict schedule, initiated after Francis’s death. Below are the key milestones:
- April 21: Francis dies at 88, from a stroke and heart failure.
- April 26: Funeral in St. Peter’s Square, attended by world leaders.
- April 28: Conclave date announced for May 7.
- May 7: Conclave begins, with black smoke at 4 p.m.
- May 8: White smoke at 3 p.m., signaling the election.
Preparations included the destruction of the Fisherman’s Ring and the Lead Seal, rituals symbolizing the end of the previous pontificate. General congregations, held before the conclave, outlined the Church’s priorities for the new leader.
Global attention to the event
The papal election drew worldwide coverage, with broadcasts in 56 languages by Vatican News. Newspapers like L’Osservatore Romano distributed special editions in St. Peter’s Square. Platforms like YouTube and Facebook streamed the event live, connecting millions of faithful in real time.
Pilgrim groups from countries like India, Argentina, and Poland reinforced the Church’s universal character. The presence of faithful from diverse nationalities, many carrying flags and rosaries, highlighted the moment’s significance for the global Catholic community.
Curiosities of the papacy
The papacy, over two thousand years old, has unique stories. The shortest pontificate, by Urban VII, lasted 13 days in 1590, while the longest, by Pius IX, spanned 31 years, from 1846 to 1878. No pope has adopted the name Peter, in respect for St. Peter, the first apostle.
Other peculiarities include the Fisherman’s Ring, destroyed after each pope’s death, and the Room of Tears, where the elected reflects before appearing. The preparation of vestments in three sizes ensures the new pope is ready, regardless of his stature.
- Fisherman’s Ring: Symbol of authority, destroyed after the pontificate.
- Room of Tears: Space for the new pope’s reflection.
- Papal names: Choice reflects the elected’s intentions.