Amid the growing crowd in St. Peter’s Square, representatives from various nations are alert for the signal from the chapel chimney that will indicate the election of Pope Francis's successor.
Papal Election Process Begins: Crowds Await the New Leader of the Catholic Church
Papal Election Process Begins: Crowds Await the New Leader of the Catholic Church
As 133 cardinals convene behind closed doors in Vatican City's Sistine Chapel, anticipation builds among thousands gathered outside for the next step in papal history.
May 7, 2025 – The highly anticipated conclave to choose the successor of Pope Francis has commenced, as 133 cardinals have been sequestered inside the historic Sistine Chapel for what is expected to be an intense deliberation over the next leader of the Catholic Church. Early evening saw the start of the voting process, with each cardinal meticulously casting their ballots by hand to ensure confidentiality.
Meanwhile, onlookers from across the globe gathered in St. Peter's Square, fueled by excitement and devotion. As the evening wore on, the crowd was eager for any news of the cardinals' decision regarding the papal succession. A notable sign of progress was awaited in the form of smoke from a chimney, installed just days earlier to indicate the outcome of the voting.
At around 9 p.m., the awaited signal was presented—but it was black smoke, indicating that the cardinals had not reached a consensus and that another round of voting would be necessary. This sign represented both a disappointment and a continuation of what many in attendance recognized as a significant historical moment.
Among the waiting crowd was the Rev. Peter Mangum from Monroe, Louisiana, who articulated the mixed emotions felt by many. “We are cold, we’re hungry, we’re thirsty but yet we can’t move,” he expressed after enduring hours of uncertainty, marking this as his fourth experience waiting for papal results.
With evening giving way to night, both the anxiously awaiting attendees and the cardinals locked inside the chapel brace themselves for the next stage of this momentous occasion, hopeful for a conclusion that would usher in a new era for the Catholic Church.
Meanwhile, onlookers from across the globe gathered in St. Peter's Square, fueled by excitement and devotion. As the evening wore on, the crowd was eager for any news of the cardinals' decision regarding the papal succession. A notable sign of progress was awaited in the form of smoke from a chimney, installed just days earlier to indicate the outcome of the voting.
At around 9 p.m., the awaited signal was presented—but it was black smoke, indicating that the cardinals had not reached a consensus and that another round of voting would be necessary. This sign represented both a disappointment and a continuation of what many in attendance recognized as a significant historical moment.
Among the waiting crowd was the Rev. Peter Mangum from Monroe, Louisiana, who articulated the mixed emotions felt by many. “We are cold, we’re hungry, we’re thirsty but yet we can’t move,” he expressed after enduring hours of uncertainty, marking this as his fourth experience waiting for papal results.
With evening giving way to night, both the anxiously awaiting attendees and the cardinals locked inside the chapel brace themselves for the next stage of this momentous occasion, hopeful for a conclusion that would usher in a new era for the Catholic Church.
