As white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica ring out, the world receives the joyful news: Habemus Papam — We have a Pope! But what exactly unfolds behind the scenes before this historic announcement is made?
Habemus Papam! White smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 6:10 p.m. Rome time (9:40 p.m. IST) today, marking the successful election of a new pope — the 267th successor of St. Peter and spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
The first day of the conclave to elect the 267th Pope concluded without success, as black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 9:00 p.m. on May 8, Wednesday, indicating no candidate received the required two-thirds majority vote.
No Pope was elected on the first day of the conclave to choose the 267th successor of St. Peter. Black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 9:00 p.m. on May 7, Wednesday, signaling that the initial round of voting had concluded without a successful result.
Only five cardinals alive today have the rare distinction of participating in the last two papal conclaves that elected Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. These same five will now once again take part in the upcoming conclave to elect the next pope.
Preparations for the upcoming papal conclave are underway in the Vatican, as workers have installed the iconic chimney atop the Sistine Chapel—the most recognized symbol of the election process for a new Pope on May 2.
The eighth General Congregation of Cardinals convened this morning in the Vatican, bringing together over 180 Cardinals—more than 120 of them electors—in preparation for the upcoming conclave on May 2.
The economic and pastoral priorities of the Church were at the heart of discussions during the seventh General Congregation of Cardinals held on Wednesday, April 30, in Vatican City.
