White smoke has been seen out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, meaning a new Pope has been elected.
As you're probably aware, following the passing of Pope Francis, cardinals from around the world flocked to the Vatican to begin the process to elect a new Pope.
The conclave is shrouded in secrecy, with only those in the Sistine Chapel allowed to know what really goes down.
Historically, conclaves have lasted anywhere between a few days to three years... although that was centuries ago, and the more recent ones have been wrapped up fairly quickly.
133 cardinals were involved in the voting, with a candidate needing the backing of 89 to become the new Pope.
Luckily, this time, a Pontiff was elected on the second day.
Crowds were delighted to see the famous chimney billow erupt from the chimney, as they waited to get a glimpse of the new Pope.
The conclave was triggered following the passing of Pope Francis.
The Vatican confirmed that the pontiff's death occurred at 7:35AM on April 21, 2025, in his residence at Casa Santa Marta after a prolonged battle with double pneumonia and related health complications.
His funeral took place at St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, April 26, and was attended by religious leaders, royals, presidents, prime ministers, and hundreds of thousands of mourners in attendance.
Among the high-profile guests paying tribute were US President Donald Trump, former US President Joe Biden, Britain’s Prince William representing King Charles, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Other royal attendees included Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia, Monaco’s Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Queen Rania.
The late pontiff was laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. His burial was marked by simplicity, with a handwritten "Rogito" placed inside his coffin alongside a bag of minted coins and key papal documents.
His final testament expressed: “The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.”
He also entrusted his journey to the Virgin Mary, writing: “I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey.”
Strict Rules For Selecting A New Pope
Following a nine-day period of mourning known as the Novendiale, the Conclave will convene to choose his successor.
The process is deliberately shrouded in secrecy. Cardinals live on-site in the Casa Santa Marta dormitories and cast their votes within the Sistine Chapel.
Currently, 252 cardinals make up the College of Cardinals, though only 138 are under the age limit and eligible to vote.
According to Catholic law, the new Pope must be a baptized male and unmarried.
The candidate must also be at least 35 years old and have studied the Bible, theology, or canon law. While technically any baptized Catholic man could be elected, the Pope is virtually always chosen from among the cardinals—those already high-ranking members of the Church.
Women are not considered. The Catholic Church does not permit women to become priests, and by extension, they cannot be ordained as bishops or cardinals—roles from which popes are drawn.
"The reality is that the patriarchy is still entrenched and women need not apply," said Catholic historian and commentator Paul Collins, per ABC.
The Church's position on male-only priesthood is rooted in precedent. The Vatican maintains that Jesus Christ selected twelve male apostles, and they, in turn, selected other men to carry out their ministry.
Robert Francis Prevost - who will now be known as Pope Leo XIV - a prominent American Catholic leader, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 14, 1955.
Prevost is also seen as progressive on many social issues, yet many view him as a centrist at heart—someone who could bridge the gaps between the Church’s various factions.