On Thursday, white smoke billowed from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, signaling that the 133 cardinals have elected a new pope.
Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States was elected as the new pope on Thursday.
At 69 years old, Prevost becomes the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Leo XIV. Born in Chicago, Prevost is the first pope from the United States.
White smoke billows from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel to announce that the 133 Cardinal electors have elected the new Pope, who will appear soon at the central window of St. Peter’s Basilica. pic.twitter.com/upT646xwH2
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 8, 2025
Habemus Papam! We have a Pope!
The Cardinals gathered in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel have elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Pope, who took the name Pope Leo XIV. pic.twitter.com/7COawsKvWu
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 8, 2025
He is a leader with global experience, having spent a significant part of his career as a missionary in South America and, most recently, heading the influential Vatican office responsible for appointing bishops. He is expected to continue the reforms initiated by Pope Francis.
Prevost spent ten years working in Trujillo, Peru, and was later appointed bishop of Chiclayo, another city in Peru, where he served from 2014 to 2023.
In an interview with Vatican News shortly after becoming head of the Dicastery for Bishops, Prevost stated: “I still consider myself a missionary. My calling, like every Christian’s calling, is to be a missionary, to preach the Gospel wherever one may be.”
The new pope was elected on the second day of the conclave, held following the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88. The conclave requires a two-thirds majority vote from the 133 cardinal electors to choose a new pope.
White smoke was seen rising from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel shortly after 7:00 p.m. Latvian time. Moments later, the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica began ringing, and cheers erupted from the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
About an hour later, a cardinal appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and delivered the traditional proclamation: “Habemus Papam” – “We have a pope.”
According to ancient tradition, black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney means no pope has been elected. This is achieved by adding tar to the burning ballots. White smoke, indicating that a new pope has been chosen, is produced by burning ballots mixed with potassium chlorate, lactose, and chloroform resin.