A New Pope Has Been Elected in 2025 Papal Conclave
- Victor Nwoko
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
White smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel on the afternoon of Thursday, May 8, signaled to the world that a new pope has been elected. The smoke drew waves of cheers from the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, confirming that the College of Cardinals had successfully chosen the 267th pope to lead the Roman Catholic Church.
The new pope, who will succeed the late Pope Francis, has not yet been revealed. His identity will remain confidential until he emerges on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver his first public blessing later today.
According to Vatican protocol, once the conclave reaches a decision and a new pope is elected, the most junior of the Cardinal Deacons summons both the Secretary of the College of Cardinals and the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations into the Sistine Chapel. At this point, the pope-elect is led to the Room of Tears, a space adjacent to the chapel where he will don the papal cassock for the first time.
Immediately after the election, the new pope is formally asked: "Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?" Upon acceptance, he chooses his papal name, which, along with official documents of acceptance, is recorded and notarized. From that moment, he assumes full authority over the global Catholic Church.
Soon after, the Senior Cardinal Deacon will step onto the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver the historic proclamation, “Habemus Papam,” Latin for “We have a pope.” Following the announcement, the new pontiff will appear before the faithful and give his first Apostolic Blessing, known as Urbi et Orbi — “to the city and to the world.”
A formal inauguration Mass, often referred to as the Papal Inaugural Mass, will take place approximately one week after the election to mark the beginning of the new pope’s ministry.
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