The 2025 Vatican Conclave: How the Next Pope Will Be Chosen
The eyes of the world are once again fixed on the Vatican Conclave, the solemn and secretive process by which the College of Cardinals elects a new leader for the Roman Catholic Church. Following the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, cardinals from around the globe have gathered in the Sistine Chapel to discern who will become the 267th pope in Church history.
As of May 8, 2025, no new pope has been elected. The familiar signal of black smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney indicates that voting is still ongoing and no cardinal has yet achieved the required two-thirds majority. Millions worldwide are asking: Did they choose a new pope yet? Not yet — but the world watches and waits.
✝️ What Is a Papal Conclave?
The term “conclave” comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning “with a key.” It refers to the seclusion of cardinal electors behind locked doors as they deliberate and vote on the next pope. The conclave is held inside the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City and follows centuries-old rituals and modern adaptations.
Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. In 2025, 133 cardinals meet this criterion. According to Church law, a candidate must receive at least two-thirds of the votes — 89 votes — to be elected pope.
How many votes to become pope? The answer: two-thirds of all eligible voting cardinals.
🔥 The Smoke Signals: Color of Smoke for New Pope
One of the most iconic features of the papal conclave is the smoke. After each round of voting, the ballots are burned in a special stove inside the chapel.
- Black Smoke (fumata nera) means no pope has been chosen.
- White Smoke (fumata bianca) means a new pope has been elected.
What color of smoke indicates a new pope? White.
The world asks daily: “Did the new pope get elected?” As of now, black smoke continues to rise — a visual reminder that consensus has yet to be reached.
Searches like “pope smoke,” “black smoke pope,” and “new pope smoke” have surged by +130%, showing just how closely people are watching.
⏳ How Long Will It Take to Elect a New Pope?
There is no set time limit for a conclave. Some papal elections in history have lasted mere hours, while others have taken days or even weeks. The current 2025 conclave has entered its third full day, with four ballots cast so far.
How long will it take to elect a new pope? Only the Holy Spirit — and the cardinals — know for sure.
Cardinals vote up to four times per day: two rounds in the morning and two in the afternoon. With each vote, the chances increase that the cardinals will rally around a single candidate.
👤 Leading Candidates in the 2025 Conclave
Though the conclave is secret, Vatican watchers and journalists have identified a few front-runners based on reputation, influence, and theological alignment:
Top Contenders:
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy) – Vatican Secretary of State, considered a moderate and a steady hand.
- Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines) – Charismatic and pastoral, with strong appeal in the Global South.
- Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy) – Known for his work with refugees, social justice, and peace initiatives.
- Cardinal Peter Erdo (Hungary) – Conservative and doctrinally firm.
- Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline (France) – Advocate for interfaith dialogue, especially with Islam.
- Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy) – Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem with deep experience in the Middle East.
Each potential pope brings a different emphasis — from global outreach to doctrinal clarity, from social compassion to evangelization.
🕊️ The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Church teaches that the Holy Spirit guides the conclave and inspires the cardinals to choose the man best suited to lead. Still, the human dimension of the vote — including theology, diplomacy, and global vision — plays an undeniable role.
“We vote with ballots, but we listen with hearts of prayer.” – Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (before becoming Pope Benedict XVI)
🙏 What Comes After the White Smoke?
Once a candidate receives the required number of votes:
- He is asked: “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?”
- Upon saying “Accepto,” he chooses a papal name.
- White smoke is released, and bells ring across St. Peter’s Square.
- The new pope appears on the Loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica and is introduced with the words:
- “Habemus Papam!” (“We have a pope!”)
The next moments will become part of Catholic history.
The 2025 papal conclave is a blend of mystery, history, and hope. As cardinals continue their sacred duty, the world listens for bells and watches for new pope smoke rising white into the Roman sky.
Until then, we pray: may the Holy Spirit guide the hearts and minds of the cardinal electors — and may the Church soon echo with the words: Habemus Papam.
