A new pope has been elected on Thursday, May 8.
“White smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney. The Catholic Church has its 267th Pope. The bells of St. Peter’s ring out to announce the election of Peter’s successor,” a Vatican report announced.
Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, setting in motion the process to elect his successor. The first round of voting took place on May 7, 2025, but no new pope has been elected yet.
Here is The Kenya Times liveblog of the latest updates on the Pope election
Thursday, 8, 2025
18:34 pm: This tradition, which began in the 6th century and became common by the 11th century, carries deep meaning and significance, reflecting the pope’s mission, values, and spiritual vision for the Church.
17:43 pm: As people eagerly await the announcement of the next Pope, many are also curious about one of the first traditions he will uphold, choosing a new papal name. This centuries-old custom symbolizes a fresh spiritual mission and often reflects the legacy or values the new pontiff wishes to embody.
16:37 pm: Crowds gathered at St. Peter’s Square are waiting for the smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney, as 133 cardinals convene for the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to the late Pope Francis, at the Vatican.
16:30 pm: AFP has reported that a seagull attacked a TV broadcast drone flying over St. Peter’s Square as 133 cardinals gathered for the second day of the conclave to elect the successor of the late Pope Francis, at the Vatican.
15:50 pm: How does the Voting Happen?
Each cardinal writes their selection on a paper that reads “Eligo in summen pontificem,” meaning “I elect as Supreme Pontiff.”
One by one, they approach the altar, declaring, “I call as my witness, Christ the Lord, who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who, before God, I believe should be elected.”
The folded ballot is placed on a round plate and then slid into an oval urn. After the votes are counted and the results are announced, the ballots are stitched together with a needle and thread, each pierced through the word “Eligo.”
Afterwards, ballots are then burned with a chemical to produce either black smoke, indicating no election or white smoke, indicating a successful election, visible through the Sistine Chapel’s chimney.
12:55 pm: Black smoke billows from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, meaning the 133 Cardinal electors have not yet chosen a new Pope. No pope was elected on the second or third ballots of the conclave.
11:39 am: Catholic cardinals reconvene in the Sistine Chapel to continue efforts toward selecting the next pope.
Crowds have gathered at St. Peter’s Square, watching the narrow chimney atop the chapel for smoke signals, as the day unfolds with solemn rituals and elaborate pageantry.
Inside, the cardinals will cast their secret ballots, seeking divine guidance in the selection of the next pope.
The smoke signals are expected at the close of each voting day.
No pope in recent history has been chosen in the initial round of voting, making the expected results of yesterday’s voting.
However, based on past conclaves, a new pope could be elected as early as the second day, when cardinals can vote up to four times.
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