Black Smoke Rises from Sistine Chapel: No Pope Elected Yet

VATICAN CITY – On May 8, 2025, a plume of black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling to the world that the College of Cardinals has not yet reached a consensus on the election of a new Pope. The somber hue, produced by a chemical mixture added to the burning ballots, indicates that no candidate has secured the required two-thirds majority in the latest round of voting during the Papal Conclave.

The Conclave, a centuries-old tradition shrouded in secrecy, convened following the vacancy of the papacy, drawing cardinals from across the globe to the Vatican to select the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The black smoke, observed by thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square and millions watching worldwide, marks a moment of anticipation and uncertainty as the process continues.

Under the rules governing the Conclave, the cardinals meet in the Sistine Chapel to cast their votes in sessions known as scrutinies, with up to four ballots held each day—two in the morning and two in the afternoon. After each session, the ballots are burned in a special stove, with the resulting smoke serving as the sole public indication of the proceedings. Black smoke signifies an inconclusive vote, while white smoke will herald the successful election of a new Pope, accompanied by the ringing of bells and the announcement of “Habemus Papam” (“We have a Pope”).

The emergence of black smoke today suggests that the cardinals are engaged in careful deliberation, weighing the qualities and qualifications needed in the next pontiff to lead the Church through a complex global landscape. While no official details of the discussions are disclosed, the process is known to involve prayer, reflection, and dialogue among the electors, who are isolated from external communication to ensure the integrity of the vote.

Vatican observers note that it is not uncommon for multiple rounds of voting to occur before a consensus is reached. Historically, some conclaves have lasted days or even weeks, though modern conclaves tend to conclude more swiftly, often within a few days. The cardinals, numbering fewer than 120 electors under the age of 80, are tasked with selecting a leader capable of addressing pressing issues facing the Church, including interfaith dialogue, social justice, and the challenges of secularism.

As evening fell over Vatican City, the faithful in St. Peter’s Square dispersed, many offering prayers for the cardinals’ discernment. The Conclave is set to resume tomorrow morning, with the next opportunity for a vote and the possibility of white smoke signaling the election of the next Pope. Until then, the world waits, watching the Sistine Chapel’s chimney for the sign that will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the Church’s history.

For now, the black smoke serves as a reminder of the gravity and solemnity of the task at hand, as the cardinals continue their sacred duty behind the sealed doors of the Sistine Chapel.