The temporary chimney atop the Sistine Chapel released a plume of white smoke on Thursday evening local time, signaling that the 133 cardinals working inside had reached a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope for the Catholic Church.
American Cardinal Robert Prevost was shortly thereafter announced as the 267th pontiff. He chose the name Leo XIV, a senior cardinal deacon announced.
The 69-year-old Chicago native is the first American pope and is seen as a diplomat in the church.
"This is the first greeting of the risen Christ. May the peace be with you," Leo said in Italian in his first remarks as pope. "This is the peace of the risen Christ."
Tune in to "The American Pope: Leo XIV," a special edition of "20/20," streaming now on Hulu and Disney+.
The first day of voting at the papal conclave has concluded.
Black smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel, signifying that the next pope has not yet been elected.
Black smoke rises from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating no decision has been made to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, May 7, 2025.
Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty Images
A crowd of more than 30,000 cheered as the first round of smoke from the conclave appeared.
When white smoke emanates from the chimney, it will mean the next leader of the Catholic Church has been chosen.
The conclave will commence for a second day of voting on Thursday.
2:32
Black smoke from Sistine Chapel — papal conclave yields no new popeBlack smoke billows over the Sistine Chapel, signaling a new pope has not been elected.
ABCNews.com
May 07, 2025, 1:34 PM EDT
How long will the conclave last?
A new pope could be elected as soon as the first ballot on Wednesday, or the process could continue for days. Since 1831, no conclave has lasted more than four days.
Up to four rounds of voting typically take place in a day. If no clear choice has emerged after three days, balloting is suspended for 24 hours to allow cardinal electors time to reflect. Another seven rounds of balloting then takes place, followed by another break, and so on.
If no pope is elected after 33 or 34 votes -- generally about 13 days -- then a new rule introduced by Pope Benedict XVI decrees the two leading candidates as determined by previous ballots will engage in a runoff vote. If the candidates are members of the conclave, they cannot vote in the runoff but are present for it. Whichever candidate receives the necessary two-thirds majority of the votes is the new pope.
Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, the archbishop of Algiers, told ABC News it would be "unexpected" if the conclave goes past Friday.
May 07, 2025, 1:19 PM EDT
Crowds wait for smoke from Sistine Chapel
More than 30,000 people have gathered in Vatican Square for a glimpse of the smoke expected to emanate from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel following the official start of the papal conclave.
Black smoke would indicate that a pope has not yet been elected. White smoke signifies that one of the 133 cardinals has secured two-thirds of the votes to become the next pope.
It is unlikely that a new pope will be elected on the first day of voting.
People wait for smoke signalling the result of the cardinals' vote during the conclave in the Vatican, May 7, 2025.
Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images
May 07, 2025, 12:48 PM EDT
What the conclave voting process is like
The balloting process for the papal conclave may be shrouded in secrecy, but it is straightforward.
Each conclave member writes his choice on a paper ballot slip and folds it once in half. He then carries it aloft between two fingers as he walks to the altar.
The slip is then deposited into a special urn used only for the balloting process.
Conclave members are instructed to write their votes “as far as possible in handwriting that cannot be identified as his” to ensure anonymity.
Cardinals take their oath in the Sistine Chapel as the conclave to elect a new Pope starts in The Vatican, May 7, 2025.
Vatican Media
Any conclave member who cannot make it in person to the Sistine Chapel due to illness or infirmity casts his ballot from this room in the Domus Marthae Sanctae. Those ballots are placed in a lockbox and carried to the Sistine Chapel.
Three scrutineers then count the votes by affirming what is written on each ballot and announcing it to the conclave, which allows the cardinals to record the votes themselves.
The first candidate to secure two-thirds of the votes is elected as the next pope.
