White smoke has been seen pouring from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel indicating that the 133 cardinal-electors have elected the man to lead the Roman Catholic Church as its 267th pope.
It follows the fourth and last ballot for Thursday, 8 May, the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis.
Following the new pope selecting his vestments, and the cardinals swearing on oath of allegiance to him, the next stage will be the appearance of the new pope on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to greet the crowds in St Peter's Square.
The bells of St Peter's Basilica have been ringing out, confirming the news of a new pope.
Thousands in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers following the sighting of the white smoke at 6.10 p.m. local time Rome, and as the news spread. The world now awaits the identity of the 267th successor of St. Peter.
<em>Photo: White smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel signaling that cardinals elected a new pope during their conclave in the Vatican, 8 May 2025. (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images.)</em>
