WHITE SMOKE RISES: VATICAN ANNOUNCES NEW PONTIFF FOLLOWING DEATH OF POPE FRANCIS

A historic transition of power unfolds in the heart of Catholicism as the Church selects its 267th leader

The ancient ritual that has marked papal transitions for centuries played out once again today as white smoke billowed from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signaling to the world that the Catholic Church has chosen its new spiritual leader. The election comes just seventeen days after the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, closing a transformative chapter in the Church’s modern history.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT CAPTIVATED THE WORLD

St. Peter’s Square erupted in jubilation this afternoon as the unmistakable white smoke emerged from the slender chimney of the Sistine Chapel, accompanied by the pealing of bells from St. Peter’s Basilica. Thousands of faithful who had gathered in anticipation broke into cheers and applause, their eyes fixed on the balcony where the new pontiff will soon appear for the traditional first blessing, Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world).

“Habemus Papam!” (We have a Pope!) The traditional Latin announcement will soon echo across the square as Cardinal Protodeacon Jean-Louis Tauran is expected to appear on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to formally introduce the new pontiff to the world. As is customary, the Cardinal Protodeacon will announce the birth name of the elected cardinal and the papal name he has chosen.

The selection comes after what Vatican sources described as a particularly deliberative conclave. Earlier smoke signals from the chapel chimney had been black, indicating that the initial rounds of voting had not produced the required two-thirds majority among the cardinal electors. This morning’s white smoke suggests that consensus was finally reached on what appears to have been the fifth ballot.

The new pope will inherit leadership of the world’s oldest continuously functioning institution and the spiritual guidance of approximately 1.39 billion Catholics worldwide, roughly 17% of the global population. He faces the formidable challenge of both honoring Pope Francis’s progressive legacy while addressing the numerous challenges confronting the modern Church.

THE PASSING OF POPE FRANCIS: A CHURCH IN MOURNING

The papal transition began with the somber announcement on April 21 that Pope Francis had died at the age of 88. Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell confirmed the pontiff’s passing in an official statement, saying the Bishop of Rome had returned “to the home of the Father” at approximately 7:35 that morning.

“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” Cardinal Farrell’s statement read. “He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune.”

The announcement came just one day after Pope Francis had addressed the Church for Easter Sunday, one of Christianity’s most sacred celebrations. Though appearing frail during the ceremonies, the pontiff had delivered his traditional Easter message with characteristic emphasis on peace, social justice, and concern for the marginalized. Few suspected it would be his final public address.

In accordance with tradition, the Church observed a nine-day period of mourning known as the novendiales. During this time, faithful worldwide participated in memorial Masses while Church officials made preparations for both the funeral and the conclave to elect his successor.

Pope Francis’s funeral, held on April 25, drew an estimated two million mourners to Rome, including dozens of heads of state and representatives from nearly every nation with diplomatic ties to the Holy See. Even leaders from countries with historically tense relationships with the Vatican paid their respects, a testament to Francis’s extraordinary diplomatic outreach during his eleven-year pontificate.

THE CONCLAVE: ANCIENT TRADITION MEETS MODERN SECRECY

Following the period of mourning, the process of selecting a new pope began with the ceremonial sealing of the Sistine Chapel on May 4. The 138 cardinal electors—all cardinals under the age of 80—entered conclave after celebrating the Missa pro eligendo Romano Pontifice (Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff).

The conclave represents one of the world’s oldest and most secretive electoral processes. Dating back to the 13th century, the practice evolved in response to historically prolonged papal elections. The term “conclave” derives from the Latin “cum clave” (with a key), referring to the practice of literally locking the cardinals within a designated area until they reached a decision.

While modern conclaves no longer literally lock cardinals in (though they remain effectively sequestered), the fundamental process remains largely unchanged. Cardinal electors are completely isolated from the outside world—no phones, no internet, no newspapers, and no communication with anyone beyond the conclave. They reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae (Saint Martha’s House) within Vatican City but conduct their voting in the Sistine Chapel itself, beneath Michelangelo’s iconic fresco of the Last Judgment.

Each cardinal takes an oath of secrecy before the voting begins, pledging to maintain absolute confidentiality about the proceedings—a vow that extends beyond the conclave’s conclusion. Penalties for breaking this oath can include excommunication.

The voting process itself follows a precisely choreographed ritual. Cardinals receive paper ballots inscribed with the Latin phrase “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (I elect as Supreme Pontiff). Each cardinal writes the name of his chosen candidate, folds the ballot, and then approaches the altar one by one. There, he places his ballot on a plate, then tips it into a large chalice or urn, announcing: “I call as my witness Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who before God I think should be elected.”

After the voting, three selected cardinals known as “scrutineers” count the ballots, announce the results, and then thread all ballots onto a single string, which is subsequently burned along with chemical additives that produce either black smoke (no election) or white smoke (successful election).

This conclave’s duration of approximately four days falls within the typical timeframe for modern papal elections, which have generally been resolved within two to five days since the early 20th century. The longest conclave in modern history occurred in 1830-31, lasting 54 days; by contrast, Pope Francis himself was elected in 2013 after just two days of voting.

THE FIELD OF PAPABILE: WHO WERE THE LEADING CANDIDATES?

As with every modern conclave, speculation about potential papal candidates—known in Vatican parlance as papabili (papal possibilities)—had been rampant in the days following Pope Francis’s death. While the deliberations remain secret, Vatican observers had identified several leading contenders based on their prominence, theological positions, and strategic importance to the Church’s global mission.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines had been widely considered among the front-runners. At 67, the former Archbishop of Manila currently serves as Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and is known for combining doctrinal orthodoxy with Francis-like pastoral warmth. His election would have recognized the demographic reality that over half of the world’s Catholics now live in the Global South, with the Philippines representing one of the largest Catholic populations worldwide.

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Italy, 68, Archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, had also received significant attention. Known for his work with the Sant’Egidio Community and his diplomatic efforts in peace negotiations, Zuppi embodies much of Francis’s emphasis on social justice while maintaining strong ties to the Italian ecclesiastical establishment.

From Africa, Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana had featured prominently in pre-conclave discussions. Currently serving as Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences, the 75-year-old cardinal has been a leading voice on environmental issues and economic justice, areas of particular emphasis during the Francis pontificate.

Other frequently mentioned candidates included Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Austria, Cardinal Seán O’Malley of the United States, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg, Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy, and Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea—each representing different geographical regions and theological perspectives within the Church.

As is often observed in Vatican circles: “He who enters the conclave as pope emerges as a cardinal.” The secretive nature of papal elections has frequently produced unexpected results, with presumed front-runners often giving way to consensus candidates who emerge during the deliberative process itself.

THE LEGACY OF POPE FRANCIS: A TRANSFORMATIVE DECADE

The new pontiff inherits a Church profoundly shaped by Pope Francis’s eleven-year pontificate, which began with his surprise election in 2013 following the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis became the first pope from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first Jesuit to occupy the Chair of St. Peter.

His papacy was characterized by efforts to reform the Church bureaucracy, emphasize pastoral care over doctrinal rigidity, expand the global representation in Church leadership, and position the Church as an advocate for environmental stewardship, migrant rights, and economic justice.

Among his most significant official documents were the encyclicals Laudato Si’ (2015), which addressed environmental degradation and climate change as moral issues, and Fratelli Tutti (2020), which explored themes of human fraternity and social friendship in an increasingly divided world. His apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia (2016) encouraged a more pastoral approach to complex family situations, sparking both praise and controversy within Church circles.

Beyond formal teachings, Francis became known for his relatively simple lifestyle, refusing to live in the traditional papal apartments and often choosing humble vehicles over the more elaborate papal transportation options. His famous response to a question about gay Catholics—”Who am I to judge?”—signaled a shift in tone if not in fundamental doctrine, while his regular engagement with marginalized communities embodied his vision of a “Church that is poor and for the poor.”

His pontificate was not without challenges. Francis confronted the ongoing sexual abuse crisis that has damaged the Church’s moral authority worldwide, though critics argued his responses were sometimes inconsistent. He faced resistance from traditionalist factions within the Church who viewed his reforms as undermining doctrinal clarity. And he navigated complex geopolitical terrain, maintaining dialogue with world leaders across the ideological spectrum while advocating for peace in conflict zones from Ukraine to the Middle East.

At his death, Francis left a Church more engaged with contemporary social issues, more globally diverse in its leadership, and more focused on pastoral accompaniment—but also one still grappling with internal divisions and external pressures that his successor must now address.

THE NEW POPE’S IMMEDIATE CHALLENGES

The newly elected pontiff faces a formidable set of challenges as he assumes leadership of the global Catholic Church.

Perhaps most immediate is determining how to continue or modify Francis’s reform agenda. The late pope had initiated significant changes to the Roman Curia (the Church’s central administrative body) through his constitution Praedicate Evangelium, which reorganized Vatican departments and opened key leadership positions to non-clergy, including women. Whether to advance these reforms further, consolidate them, or potentially redirect them will be among the new pope’s first strategic decisions.

The ongoing sexual abuse crisis continues to demand attention, with calls for greater accountability, transparency, and safeguarding measures. While Francis established new procedures for addressing abuse allegations, including the abolition of the “pontifical secret” for abuse cases, critics maintain that implementation has been uneven across different regions of the global Church.

Demographic challenges loom large, with drastically different realities across regions. While Catholicism is experiencing rapid growth in Africa and parts of Asia, European and North American dioceses face declining attendance, priest shortages, and church closures. The new pope must develop strategies that acknowledge these divergent trajectories while maintaining unity.

Theological tensions that emerged during the Francis pontificate await resolution or continued management. Debates over issues like the proper interpretation of Amoris Laetitia regarding divorced and remarried Catholics, the status of the traditional Latin Mass following Francis’s restrictions, and questions about women’s roles in Church leadership remain active. The new pontiff’s approach to these issues will signal whether he intends to continue Francis’s pastoral emphasis or chart a different course.

On the international stage, the new pope inherits a complex web of diplomatic relationships. The Holy See maintains official relations with 183 sovereign states and participates in numerous international organizations. Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and various parts of Africa will demand the Vatican’s diplomatic engagement, while issues like climate change, migration, and economic inequality align with long-standing Catholic social teaching concerns.

THE BROADER SIGNIFICANCE: CATHOLICISM IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Today’s papal election occurs at a pivotal moment for global Catholicism, which continues to experience significant demographic and cultural shifts. While the absolute number of Catholics worldwide continues to grow, reaching approximately 1.39 billion, their geographical distribution has transformed dramatically over the past century.

The Church that was once predominantly European now finds its numerical center of gravity in the Global South. Latin America contains nearly 40% of the world’s Catholics, while Africa represents the fastest-growing Catholic population, having expanded from about 2 million in 1900 to over 236 million today. By contrast, European Catholicism has experienced steady decline in both absolute numbers and cultural influence.

These demographic realities have increasingly influenced the College of Cardinals, which Pope Francis deliberately expanded to include greater representation from previously underrepresented regions. Of the 138 cardinal electors who participated in this conclave, approximately 20% came from Asia and Oceania, 18% from Africa, 15% from Latin America, 31% from Europe (a significant decrease from historical norms), and 16% from North America.

The new pope must navigate not only these geographical shifts but also profound cultural challenges. In many traditionally Catholic regions, secularization has eroded religious practice and influence. Meanwhile, in areas of growth, Catholicism often competes with both evangelical Protestantism and non-Christian faiths for adherents. These diverse contexts demand flexibility in evangelization approaches while maintaining doctrinal coherence.

Additionally, generational differences among Catholics present both opportunities and challenges. Surveys consistently show significant variations in religious practice, doctrinal adherence, and institutional trust between older and younger Catholics, with millennials and Generation Z often maintaining more selective engagement with Church teachings than their predecessors.

WHAT COMES NEXT: THE INSTALLATION AND EARLY PAPACY

Following today’s election, the new papal administration will begin to take shape through a series of carefully choreographed events and decisions.

The first public appearance of the new pope on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica typically occurs within an hour of the white smoke. There, after the formal announcement by the Cardinal Protodeacon, the newly elected pontiff will deliver his first blessing to the city and the world. This moment often provides initial insights into his personal style and priorities.

Within days, the formal installation Mass (sometimes called the papal inauguration) will take place in St. Peter’s Square. This ceremony, which has been simplified in recent decades, features the imposition of the pallium (a woolen vestment symbolizing the pope’s role as universal pastor) and the presentation of the Fisherman’s Ring, a symbol of papal authority dating back centuries.

Early papal appointments will be closely watched for indications of the new pontiff’s governing approach. The selection of a Secretary of State—the Vatican’s equivalent of a prime minister—represents perhaps the most consequential early decision, as this official coordinates both internal Church governance and the Holy See’s diplomatic relations.

The new pope’s first encyclical or apostolic exhortation will establish key theological themes for his pontificate, while his initial foreign travel destinations will signal diplomatic and pastoral priorities. Similarly, his approach to curial appointments and potential creation of new cardinals will shape the Church’s leadership landscape for years to come.

THE ETERNAL CITY WITNESSES ANOTHER TRANSITION

As the bells of Rome continue to ring out across the city, St. Peter’s Square fills with ever-larger crowds eager to witness this historic transition of power. Many have traveled great distances, hoping to be present for the first appearance of the Church’s new leader.

“I dropped everything and flew from Manila when I heard the conclave had begun,” said Maria Santos, 62, who stood near the obelisk at the center of the square. “Pope Francis meant so much to us in the Philippines. I needed to be here to welcome his successor, whoever he might be.”

Similar sentiments echoed among the diverse gathering. Jakob Mueller, 28, a theology student from Germany, expressed the mixture of grief and anticipation felt by many younger Catholics: “Francis was the only pope I really knew as an adult. His death feels like losing a grandfather. But there’s also this sense of witnessing history being made today.”

Local Romans, accustomed to their city’s central role in Church history, took the events in stride while acknowledging their significance. “This is my third conclave,” noted Francesca Bianchi, 70, as she watched the white smoke with her grandchildren. “Each time, it’s a reminder that the Church continues, beyond any single person. Even a pope is mortal, but this institution—for better or worse—endures.”

As anticipation builds for the formal announcement and first appearance of the 267th successor to St. Peter, the ancient rituals playing out today connect directly to traditions that have shaped Western civilization for millennia. In an age of instantaneous digital communication and rapidly shifting cultural norms, the measured pace and ceremonial precision of papal succession provides a striking contrast—a reminder of an institution that measures its history not in years or decades, but in centuries.

The new pontiff, soon to be revealed, will inherit both the weight of this history and the challenge of guiding a global faith community through the complexities of the modern world. As white smoke continues to drift skyward from the Sistine Chapel, dissipating into the Roman afternoon, it carries with it the message that once again, in the ancient tradition dating back two millennia, the Catholic Church has chosen its new shepherd.