Overview

• White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 6:05 pm local time on May 8, signaling the election of a new pope after less than two days of deliberations.
• The senior cardinal deacon, Dominique Mamberti, will announce the new pope's name and chosen papal title from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica shortly.
• This conclave was the largest and most diverse in history, with 133 cardinal electors from 70 countries, over 80% of whom were appointed by Pope Francis.
• The conclave adhered to centuries-old traditions, with ballots burned to produce black or white smoke and strict secrecy measures enforced under penalty of excommunication.
• The new pope inherits significant challenges, including addressing church unity, the clerical abuse crisis, and the Vatican's diplomatic role in a turbulent global landscape.