White smoke billows from Sistine Chapel as new pope is elected

White smoke rises from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope has been elected at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. 

Photo credit: Reuters

White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel on Thursday and the bells of St. Peter's rang out, signalling that cardinals have elected a new pope to succeed Pope Francis and take charge of the Roman Catholic Church.

The election came on the first full day of voting by the 133 cardinal electors, who secluded themselves behind the Vatican's medieval walls on Wednesday afternoon.