“Habemus Papam,” the words that mark the announcement of a new Pope are soon to be uttered by the Vatican as St. Peter’s Square erupts in joy after white smoke signaled the arrival of a new era for the Catholic Church.
Though the decision has been made, tradition dictates that there may still be up to an hour before the world hears the new Pope speak.
Behind closed doors, the man chosen to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics is being prepared—physically and spiritually—for one of the most consequential appearances of his life.
The historic event is marked by the reunion of 133 cardinal-electors, a conclave that broke records in both size and diversity of nationalities.
UPDATE: the new pope is Cardinal Robert Prevost, the first American Pope.
The faithful wait with bated breath for their new pope as white smoke announces he’s been elected
Image credits: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
With over 80% of the cardinals being appointed by the late Pope Francis, there’s a high chance that his successor could continue his legacy.
As the clock ticks ever closer to the announcement, speculation is rampant. Among the top contenders for the position are four cardinals, one Italian, one from the Philippines, one American, and one from Ghana.
Image credits: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images
White smoke! The 133 Cardinal electors gathered in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel have elected the new Pope. He will appear soon at the central window of St. Peter’s Basilica. pic.twitter.com/XejI7mY43m
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 8, 2025
Cardinal Pietro Parolin from Italy was the Vatican’s secretary of state under Pope Francis, which means he was the pope’s chief adviser and head of the Roman Curia, the Church’s central administration.
His role as an effective deputy pope means many consider him to be a frontrunner. His supporters view him as a prudent leader, able to prioritize diplomacy and negotiate positive outcomes for the Church on the global stage.
On the other hand, many have criticized his stance on same-sex marriage, which he described at one point as a “defeat for humanity.”
Precedent also supports his candidacy, as out of the 266 previous popes, 213 have been Italian.
#ÚLTIMAHORA | 🕊️ 🔴¡Habemus Papam! ⛪️‼️El Vaticano confirma la elección del nuevo Papa
Tras dos días de deliberaciones, el cónclave ha concluido y el Vaticano ha emitido fumata blanca, señal de que los cardenales han alcanzado un acuerdo
Más información en breve… pic.twitter.com/UDkNjjBKa2
— RADAЯ News 107.5 FM (@RadarNews1075) May 8, 2025
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, a pastoral figure often dubbed the “Asian Francis” for his warmth and focus on compassion, has also been mentioned as a favorite to succeed Pope Francis, though some question the strength of his stance on abuse and political issues.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old American with deep missionary experience in Latin America and a reformist reputation is also being considered, though his ties to the US Church may weigh on his chances according to critics.
Finally, if elected, Cardinal Peter Turkson would be the first African pope in over 1,500 years. Born in Ghana, he became the country’s first cardinal in 2003 under Pope John Paul II and was widely seen as a frontrunner during the 2013 conclave that chose Pope Francis—at one point, bookmakers even had him as the favorite.
In the end, the final choice remains a mystery, with the Vatican expected to make an announcement imminently.
“Can’t wait.” Netizens are excitedly waiting for the official announcement
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