White smoke emerges, indicating election of new pope

The 133 cardinals decided May 8 after less than a day of voting on a new pope to lead the Catholic Church.

White smoke emerge from the Sistine Chapel shortly after noon (EDT) and set off a wild celebration in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. The pope is expected to be revealed early in the afternoon. He was selected after the fourth ballot.

Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, the Chicago-born prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis, was elected the 267th pope May 8 and took the name Pope Leo XIV.

He is the first North American to be elected pope and, before the conclave, was the U.S. cardinal most mentioned as a potential successor of St. Peter.

On the second day of voting, two rounds of ballots were scheduled: the first two in the morning after Mass and a brief prayer at 9:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m. EDT) and then another two, if needed, after 4 p.m. (10 a.m. EDT).

Thick plumes of black smoke appeared from a chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel at 11:51 a.m. (5:51 a.m. EDT) May 8 to indicate no winners emerged during the morning session. A quick burst of applause broke out among the crowds that had gathered in the square when the smoke began to appear. An estimated 15,000 people were present.

However, white smoke emerge later in the day, signaling that the cardinals had decided on the 266th successor to St. Peter.

Here’s a step-by-step guide from OSV News for what happens after a new pope has been elected:

Burning of Ballots — After the elected accepts his election — which formally ends the conclave, and by which he also immediately becomes the Bishop of Rome — the ballots are burned with a chemical additive to produce white smoke, signaling to the world that a pope has been chosen. The bells of St. Peter’s Basilica also ring in celebration.

Thanksgiving and Homage — The cardinal electors make an act of homage and obedience to the new pope, followed by an act of thanksgiving to God.

Vestments and Reflection — The new pope heads to the Room of Tears, a small chamber in the sacristy of the Sistine Chapel, for a brief moment of private reflection. While there, he will be dressed in white papal vestments, prepared ahead of time in three sizes (small, medium and large).

Public Announcement — The protodeacon (the most senior deacon) of the College of Cardinals steps onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and proclaims “habemus papam” (“we have a pope”), introducing the new pope first by his baptismal name in Latin, and then by his chosen papal name.

First Apostolic Blessing — The new pope appears on the balcony and gives his first “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and to the World”) blessing to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square and to all people.

Inauguration Mass — Within days of his election (in Pope Francis’ case, it was six), the new pope formally inaugurates his ministry as pope and Bishop of Rome during a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. At the liturgy, the new pope receives the pallium — a circular band of white wool, with six small black crosses, that is worn about the neck and shoulders only by the pope and, following his authorization, archbishops. The new pope also receives the papal ring, known as the fisherman’s ring.

Once elected, the new pope remains in Rome (the late Pope Francis never again visited his native Argentina after his selection), and his travels, along with every other facet of his life, will be carefully and prayerfully coordinated, as he is now the successor of St. Peter.

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