White smoke was witnessed emerging from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, in a direct signal that a new pope has already been elected. 

The chosen pope’s name is yet to be disclosed by the papal conclave, which convened on Wednesday to decide on the next leader of the Catholic Church.

Nuns react to white smoke from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope has been elected, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. (Marko Djurica/REUTERS)

In recent years, the conclave has still been considered relatively quick in their decision as they reached a conclusion on the papacy in just a matter of days. 

Pope Francis was elected in 2013 on the fifth ballot, while Pope Benedict XVI won in 2005 on the fourth ballot, and Pope Pius XII, elected in 1939 won on the third ballot. 

A new pope is elected as the conclave releases white smoke from the chimney at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Reuters)

A pope is decided after a man receives a two-thirds majority by the voting body, which comprises eligible voters in the College of Cardinals who are under the age of 80 at the time of the pope’s passing.

Of the 252 members of the body, 133 of the cardinals voted.

Once the individual, who is traditionally selected from the College of Cardinals, is chosen as the next pope, he must accept the role with the Dean of the College.

He will then be asked by what name he would like to be called, and the conclave then concludes. 

Check back on this developing story.