It is the conclave process that began on 7 May 2025 and concluded on the evening of 8 May 2025 for the election of the 267th pope of the Catholic Church. Convened in the Vatican following the death of Pope Francis on 21 April 2025, the election was attended by 133 cardinal electors and was held, in accordance with tradition, in the Sistine Chapel.

_{The beginning of the conclave, 7 May 2025 – Vatican News}

Initiation of the Conclave and Historical Background

Pope Francis, the spiritual and administrative leader of the Catholic Church, passed away on 21 April 2025 at the age of 88. In accordance with Catholic tradition, a conclave was convened to elect his successor. As the College of Cardinals assembled in the Vatican, preparations for the electoral process commenced, and the conclave was officially opened on 7 May 2025.

The term conclave is derived from the Latin phrase cum clave, meaning “locked with a key.” It refers to the closed-session electoral assembly in which the cardinal electors are completely cut off from all external physical and communicative contact. This practice dates back to the 13th century. After the death of Pope Clement IV in 1268, the ensuing papal election lasted 1006 days—nearly three years—and ended in 1271 with the election of Pope Gregory X. As a result of this protracted process, the Second Council of Lyon in 1274 decreed that future papal elections must proceed without interruption, that cardinals must remain sequestered until a decision is reached, and that the proceedings be conducted under absolute secrecy. The authority to elect the pope was formally entrusted to the College of Cardinals by Pope Nicholas II in 1059. Since then, only cardinals have been permitted to vote in papal elections.

Although the number of cardinal electors has varied over time, the 2025 election included 133 cardinals, all of whom were under the canonical voting age limit of 80. These electors represented 70 different countries. The election was held in the Sistine Chapel under strictly isolated conditions and preceded by an oath of secrecy. On the opening day of the conclave, 7 May, all external contact was severed beginning at 5:30 p.m. local time, and following the command Extra omnes (“everyone out”), all non-electors exited the chapel.

_{Commencement of voting following the Extra omnes ("everyone out") command, 7 May 2025 – Vatican News}

Distribution of Cardinals and Papal Candidates

Number, Profiles, and Participation Status of the Cardinals

A total of 133 cardinal electors under the age of 80 took part in the 2025 Papal Election. This marks an increase compared to the 115 cardinal electors who participated in the 2013 conclave. The cardinals involved in the election represented 70 different countries. Europe stood out as the most represented continent, with Italy leading the participation by contributing 17 electors. The representation from Asia increased significantly, rising from 10 to 23 cardinals compared to previous conclaves.

Some cardinals did not participate in the election either due to not meeting eligibility criteria or for other reasons. According to Vatican sources, Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu withdrew from the election process, a decision reportedly linked to a financial trial concluded in 2023 concerning his conduct.

A majority of the cardinal electors were appointed during the pontificate of Pope Francis. The youngest among them was 45-year-old Mykola Bychok, who was born in Ukraine and serves as Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Melbourne, Australia. He was elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2024.

Opening of the Conclave and First Ballot

On the evening of 7 May 2025, a single round of voting was conducted. The session began at approximately 5:45 p.m. local time. Following the counting and incineration of the ballots, black smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 9:05 p.m., signaling that no pope had been elected in the first round. The session lasted about three hours and concluded without a definitive outcome, prompting the continuation of the conclave into the following day.

_{Black smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, 7 May 2025 – Vatican News}

That same day, an estimated 45,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square to witness the result of the ballot. The large crowd watched live as black smoke rose from the chapel chimney. The chimney apparatus affixed to the Sistine Chapel released visible black smoke through a chemical reaction triggered by the burning of the ballots.

Second Day of Voting

The second day of the 2025 Papal Election commenced on the morning of Thursday, 8 May 2025. At 9:15 a.m. local time, all 133 cardinal electors under the age of 80 entered the Sistine Chapel and severed all contact with the outside world, resuming the electoral proceedings in full seclusion. In the morning session, the second and third ballots were held consecutively; however, the required two-thirds majority was not achieved. Following the vote counting and the incineration of the ballots, black smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel chimney around 12:00 p.m., signaling that the election remained inconclusive.

Later that same day, the fourth round of voting brought the conclave to a conclusion. At 8:04 p.m. (UTC+2) on the evening of 8 May 2025, white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel—serving as the traditional and official sign that a new pope had been elected.

Election and Proclamation of the New Pope

The fourth round of voting on Thursday, 8 May 2025—the second day of the conclave—resulted in the election of the 267th pope of the Catholic Church. The election took place within the framework of the conclave that convened on 7 May, following the death of Pope Francis on 21 April 2025. After a candidate secured the required two-thirds majority in the Sistine Chapel, white smoke rose from the chimney at 8:04 p.m. (UTC+2), serving as the traditional signal to announce the successful outcome of the election to the world.

_{Pope Leo XIV appears before the public for the first time from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, 8 May 2025 – Vatican News}

Following the election, the papal coat of arms was displayed on the central façade of St. Peter’s Basilica. At 8:23 p.m., the official announcement Habemus Papam ("We have a Pope") was delivered by French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, who holds the title of Protodeacon. In Latin, he declared: "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum. Habemus Papam. Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Robertum Franciscum Cardinalem Prevost, qui sibi nomen imposuit Leo Decimus Quartus."

The announcement identified the new pope as Robert Francis Prevost of the United States, who had chosen the name Leo XIV.

At 8:23 p.m. (UTC+2), Pope Leo XIV appeared before the public on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. There, he bestowed the traditional Urbi et Orbi (to the City and to the World) blessing.Pope Leo XIV addressed the crowd in both Latin and Italian. In his address, he commemorated Pope Francis and extended a special greeting to the people of Peru, where he had served for many years. With his election, Pope Leo XIV became the first American-born pope in the history of the Catholic Church.

_{Pope Leo XIV appears before the public for the first time from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, 8 May 2025 – Vatican News}

Robert Francis Prevost was born on 14 September 1955 in Chicago, Illinois. He was ordained as a priest in 1982 and went on to serve extensively in South America, especially in Peru. From 2014 to 2023, he served as the Archbishop of Chiclayo. He was later appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops (Dicasterium pro Episcopis) in the Roman Curia. It was while holding this position that he participated in the conclave and was elected as the 267th pope.

With the election concluded, the conclave held on 7–8 May 2025 was formally closed, marking the beginning of a new papal era within the Catholic Church. Pope Leo XIV has officially assumed his role as the spiritual leader of the Catholic world and the Head of State of the Vatican.

International Congratulations and Official Statements

Following the announcement of Pope Leo XIV’s election, numerous heads of state, government leaders, and religious figures issued congratulatory messages. U.S. President Donald Trump extended his congratulations via social media and expressed his desire to meet with Pope Leo XIV. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a written statement, emphasized the significance of the election for the global Catholic community.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram highlighting the hope that relations between the Vatican and Russia would continue on the basis of shared Christian values. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz remarked that the election carries symbolic importance amid ongoing international instability. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in her letter, noted that the election of the new pope coincided with a period of global challenges.

In statements from Latin American countries, particular attention was drawn to Pope Leo XIV’s strong ties with Peru. Peruvian President Dina Boluarte emphasized the pope’s previous relationship with the Peruvian people and his citizenship status. Colombian President Gustavo Petro referenced Prevost’s Latin American background, while leaders from Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador, Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, and Paraguay also issued congratulatory remarks.

From the Middle East and North Africa, official statements were released by Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on Pope Leo XIV to continue the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, in promoting peace and human rights. Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb of Al-Azhar expressed his hope that interfaith dialogue would be further strengthened under the new papacy.

From the Balkans and across Europe, leaders of Greece, Slovenia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, and Croatia extended their best wishes to Pope Leo XIV. Messages frequently emphasized themes of justice, peace, and social solidarity.