Overview

• White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney at noon ET on May 8, marking the election of a new pope after the fourth round of voting.
• Massive crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square celebrated the announcement, awaiting the formal reveal of the new pontiff's name and title.
• The papal conclave, which began on May 7, adhered to the centuries-old tradition of using black and white smoke to communicate voting outcomes.
• The voting process required a two-thirds majority from 133 cardinal-electors, who were sequestered in the Sistine Chapel with no external contact.
• The conclave's ancient smoke ritual sparked widespread online engagement, with internet users sharing memes and jokes about the colored smoke signals.