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الوسم: Sistine Chapel

  • White Smoke Signals New Pope Election at Sistine Chapel

    White Smoke Signals New Pope Election at Sistine Chapel

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    VATICAN CITY: On Thursday, white smoke billowed from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, and the bells of St. Peter’s rang out, marking the election of a new pope to succeed Pope Francis and lead the Roman Catholic Church.

    This pivotal event occurred on the first full day of voting among the 133 cardinal electors, who had sequestered themselves behind the Vatican’s ancient walls on Wednesday afternoon.

    A jubilant crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers and applause as the initial puffs of smoke emerged from the small chimney on the chapel’s roof, where cardinals have been casting their votes in secrecy.

    The name of the newly elected pope will soon be revealed to the world from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

    Following this announcement, the new pope will address the crowds and deliver his first blessing.

    Pope Francis passed away on April 21 after leading the 1.4 billion-strong Church for 12 years. His leadership was marked by efforts to modernize the traditionally conservative institution, implementing reforms and encouraging discourse on contentious topics, such as the ordination of women and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ Catholics.

    While there were no clear frontrunners for his successor, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who served as the Vatican’s second-in-command under Francis, and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle were considered leading candidates.

    Potential papal candidates, known in Italian as "papabili," also included French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, American Cardinal Robert Prevost, Italian Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Filipino Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David.

    The cardinals faced the significant decision of whether to choose a leader who would continue Francis’ vision of openness and reform or select a more traditional figure.

    Throughout the conclave, the only means of communication with the outside world was through the smoke signals—black indicating no pope had been chosen yet, and white indicating that a new pontiff had been elected by a two-thirds majority.

    The cardinals conducted an initial inconclusive vote on Wednesday evening followed by two more votes on Thursday morning. They returned to the Sistine Chapel at 4 p.m. (1400 GMT), and by around 6:08 p.m. (1608 GMT), the white smoke signaled the outcome.

    During the conclave, the cardinals were isolated, bound by secrecy, with their phones and computers confiscated. They were shuttled between the Sistine Chapel for voting and two Vatican guesthouses for sleeping and dining.

    On average, the last 10 conclaves required about 7.2 ballots for a pope to be elected. Pope Francis himself was selected after just five ballots in 2013.

    This version maintains the original information but presents it in a fresh way.

  • Black Smoke: No Pope Elected in First Conclave Vote

    Black Smoke: No Pope Elected in First Conclave Vote

    Black smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, indicating that cardinals have not yet elected a new pope at the Vatican on May 7, 2025. — Reuters

    • Cardinals pledged secrecy before the conclave began.
    • Voting takes place within the Sistine Chapel, away from public view.
    • Progressives and traditionalists compete for influence.

    On Wednesday evening, black smoke erupted from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that the first vote among the cardinals in the conclave to elect a new pope was inconclusive.

    Thousands of worshippers gathered in St. Peter’s Square, eagerly waiting for smoke to emerge from the narrow flue atop the chapel. This day was filled with ceremonial traditions, as the ecclesiastics prayed for divine guidance during their secret voting process.

    The crowd exhibited patience as the smoke took longer than anticipated to appear, over three hours after the conclave commenced. This duration exceeded the initial voting period of the 2013 conclave, which resulted in the election of the late Pope Francis.

    White smoke would indicate a new pope has been chosen, but that was not anticipated on Wednesday; modern history shows that popes are not usually appointed on the first day of a conclave.

    Nonetheless, some cardinals expressed hope this week that a decision could be reached by Thursday or Friday, signaling unity within the Church following the often-contentious 12-year papacy of Francis, who passed away last month.

    The 133 cardinal electors, all under the age of 80, will spend the night in one of two Vatican guesthouses, allowing for informal discussions before returning to the chapel on Thursday morning.

    Following the initial round of voting on Wednesday, the cardinals will hold two votes in the morning and two more in the afternoon, continuing until a candidate garners a two-thirds majority—89 votes are needed this time.

    The only link between the electors and the outside world will be the chimney smoke, which will reveal the results as they burn their completed ballots mixed with special chemicals; black smoke signifies no consensus, while white denotes the election of a new pope.

    Contemporary papal conclaves typically conclude swiftly. The 2013 conclave took only two days, as did the one in 2005, which elected Benedict XVI.

    In recent discussions, cardinals have shared their hopes for the new pope who will lead the 1.4 billion members of the Church.

    Some seek continuity with the vision of Pope Francis, advocating for greater openness and reform, while others wish to return to traditional practices. Many express a desire for a more predictable papacy.

    ‘The Good of the Church’

    In a sermon preceding the conclave, Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who is 91 and not eligible to vote, urged his fellow prelates to set aside personal motives and focus solely on “the good of the Church and of humanity.”

    He also emphasized that the next pope must respect the Church’s diversity. “Unity does not mean uniformity,” he stated, “but a deep communion amidst diversity.”

    No clear frontrunner has surfaced, although Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle are viewed as leading candidates.

    However, if it becomes evident that neither can secure enough support, votes may shift toward other candidates based on geography, doctrinal compatibility, or shared languages.

    Other possible contenders include Jean-Marc Aveline from France, Peter Erdo from Hungary, American Robert Prevost, and Pierbattista Pizzaballa from Italy.

    This conclave boasts a record 133 cardinals from 70 countries, a rise from 115 cardinals from 48 nations in the last conclave in 2013—reflecting Pope Francis’s efforts over his 12-year tenure to broaden the Church’s global representation.

    Among their considerations will be whether to choose a pope from the Global South, where congregations are expanding, as they did with Francis from Argentina in 2013, or to return to Europe, or potentially elect the first pope from the United States.

    The cardinals entered the adorned Sistine Chapel accompanied by Latin chants and organ music, with Michelangelo’s Last Judgment fresco forming the backdrop.

    They placed their hands on the Gospels, taking an oath of secrecy to maintain confidentiality about their proceedings.

    Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Vatican’s master of ceremonies, then declared “Extra omnes!” (Everyone out!) compelling those not participating to exit, sealing the chapel’s heavy doors against the outside world.

    While discussion is not permitted during voting sessions, it is expected that informal campaigning will take place during breaks and meals as the list of potential papal candidates shifts throughout the ballots.

  • Sistine Chapel Awaits: Cardinals Gear Up to Choose New Pope

    Sistine Chapel Awaits: Cardinals Gear Up to Choose New Pope

    Vatican City Update: Sistine Chapel Prepares for Papal Election

    VATICAN CITY — The iconic Sistine Chapel, renowned for Michelangelo’s masterpieces, is currently undergoing significant renovations. Among the updates are the installation of a stove designed for the incineration of ballots and a chimney that will signal to the world when the Catholic Church has elected a new pope.

    A recent video from the Vatican press office showcases ongoing work within the 13th-century chapel, as builders erect scaffolding to create a raised wooden floor. This new space will accommodate large tables for the 133 cardinal electors who will cast their votes during the conclave.

    In a particular corner of the chapel, workers are installing the stove where the ballots will be burned. The video, released on Friday, also depicts firefighters climbing onto the chapel’s roof to secure the chimney flue.

    When the voting concludes, the smoke signaling the election results will be closely observed in St. Peter’s Square. Black smoke indicates that no candidate has received the required two-thirds majority, while white smoke declares the election of a new pontiff.

    Silvio Screpanti, the deputy director of infrastructure for Vatican City, reported that five electricians and five technicians will be onsite for the entirety of the conclave. One technician will remain in a small room adjacent to the Sistine Chapel, equipped with a remote control to operate the stove electronically.

    In preparation for the electoral proceedings, technicians will "black out all the windows" in the areas designated for the conclave and disable various technological devices and sensors that have been installed in recent years.

    On the day before the conclave, approximately 80 lead seals will be placed at all entrance points to the perimeter. Additionally, around 200 rooms at the Santa Marta guest house and a neighboring building are being cleaned and repainted, with some windows blocked for privacy.

    Furniture in the accommodations will be kept minimal, including only a bed, bedside table, and wardrobe, according to Screpanti. Some technicians are seasoned veterans from previous conclaves, while others are experiencing it for the first time. All personnel must take an oath of secrecy and will reside within the Vatican, without any contact with their families during this time.