The next pope will be the Catholic Church's 267th leader.
Last updated: Thursday, May 8, 2025 5:28PM GMTThe temporary chimney atop the Sistine Chapel released a plume of white smoke on Thursday, signaling that the 133 cardinals working inside had reached a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope for the Catholic Church.
The new leader of the Catholic Church was chosen amid the third round of conclave voting.Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican's powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, poses for a photo in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sept. 30, 2023.Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican's powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, poses for a photo in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sept. 30, 2023.A marching brass band in blue uniforms led a contingent of Swiss guards through the crowd to a central spot below the balcony, generating another huge roar from the crowd. The Pontifical Swiss Guard is the official security force of the Vatican, and holds a ceremonial and a protective function. Swiss guards stand outside St. Peter's Basicilca after the white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025 And now more marching bands are celebrating the election of a new pope in a parade that includes large groups in military dress uniforms.That's where a cardinal will soon emerge to "to proclaim a new pope to Rome and to the world."44 minutes agoThousands of people have gathered in Vatican Square to witness the first appearance of the newly elected pope. White smoke was released from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on Thursday evening, signifying that the 133 voting cardinals reached a two-thirds majority to chose the next leader of the Catholic Church. People react as white smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. Swiss guards march as white smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. Band marches as white smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025.The new pope is expected to address the crowd next to the iconic red velvet curtains lining the central balcony of the basilica.
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