On the second day, the cardinals will cast four votes: two in the morning and two in the afternoon. After each session, smoke will indicate the progress of the election.
Vatican City, May 8, 2025 — Following the passing of Pope Francis, 133 cardinals from 70 countries have gathered at the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope. The first day of the 2025 Papal Conclave concluded with black smoke, indicating no successful election in the initial vote.
Conclave 2025: Day 1 Results
At the end of the first day, black smoke (fumata nera) rose from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, signaling that the cardinals had not yet achieved the two-thirds majority required. This traditional smoke color method, initiated in the 1700s, was enhanced in 2005 with chemicals to make the smoke’s color clearer.
Live Stream of the Papal Conclave
Millions worldwide are witnessing this historic event through the live stream of the conclave. All eyes are on the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, awaiting the appearance of white smoke (fumata bianca), which will signal the election of a new pope. Watch the live stream here.
Pope Conclave Candidates: Front Runners of 2025
Several cardinals are considered strong candidates for the papacy in this conclave:
Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy): Vatican’s Secretary of State, known for his diplomatic expertise.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines): An influential Asian voice and advocate of Pope Francis’ reformist vision.
Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero (Spain): Archbishop of Rabat, committed to continuing Pope Francis’ reforms despite expressing no personal ambition for the role.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo (Congo): A prominent African bishop supporting traditional values.
Importance of Smoke Colors
During the conclave, smoke is released after each voting session from the Sistine Chapel chimney:
Black Smoke (fumata nera): No decision yet.
White Smoke (fumata bianca): A new pope has been elected.
Since 2005, chemicals have been added to make the smoke colors more distinct, accompanied by the ringing of bells with the white smoke.
Conclave Reflected on Social Media
This year’s conclave has also become a topic of widespread discussion on social media. Memes and humorous posts about the seagull perched on the Sistine Chapel’s chimney and the smoke colors have gone viral.
