The Newly Elected Pope Expected to Appear on The Balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica in About an Hour

People react as white smoke appears from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals gathered on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, on May 8, 2025.

White smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel just after 6 p.m. local time in Rome, signaling the election of the 267th Pope. The historic moment brought thunderous cheers from the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, where church bells rang and pilgrims waved flags and white handkerchiefs in celebration.

The newly elected pope is expected to appear on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica within the hour to greet the faithful and deliver his first Apostolic Blessing, known as Urbi et Orbi.

This new pontiff steps into leadership at a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church. While the global Catholic population continues to grow, the center of gravity has shifted away from Europe toward Africa and Asia. The election follows the passing of Pope Francis on April 21 and nearly two weeks of closed-door meetings by the College of Cardinals, who grappled with urgent global and internal church challenges.

The people react after white smoke appears from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, on May 8, 2025.

Externally, the College of Cardinals weighed ongoing global crises including the wars in the Holy Land and Ukraine, international migration, persecution of Christians, and the fragmentation of multinational cooperation. Internally, the new pope faces deep divisions within the Church, particularly surrounding the future of synodality—Francis' hallmark initiative to reform church governance and increase participation among non-ordained members.

In his final days, Pope Francis approved an extended implementation phase for the Synod on Synodality, stretching through 2028. The initiative calls on local churches around the world to consider reforms including greater inclusion of women, new accountability mechanisms for bishops, and changes to priestly formation. The new pope will now be tasked with continuing or redefining this vision while addressing the concerns of more conservative factions within the Church.

White smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, on May 8, 2025.

Beyond ecclesial reform, the new pope inherits several pressing administrative issues: a looming Vatican pension deficit, budgetary shortfalls, unfinished efforts to address clergy sexual abuse, and whether to continue Francis’ Council of Cardinals—his key group of advisers on church governance.

One of the first decisions awaiting the new pontiff will be whether to attend a planned trip to Turkey at the end of May. The visit is intended to mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea with a historic ecumenical gathering of Christian leaders. Despite declining health, Pope Francis had expressed hope to make the trip himself.

Later tonight, the new pope is expected to join fellow cardinals for a celebratory gathering at the Vatican guesthouse where they stayed during the conclave. His first major public event will follow on Sunday, May 11, when he delivers the Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic Palace to the faithful assembled in St. Peter’s Square.