A new pope has been chosen, as white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel. Follow live updates.

Boston Globe

08-05-2025

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Watch live from the Vatican:
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The great bells of St. Peter's Basilica are tolling — 12:22 p.m.
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By the Associated Press
And down below, amid the cheers in the vast mix of humanity in St. Peter's square, priests are making the sign of the cross and nuns are weeping at the white smoke wafting into the sky.
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The crowd erupted with joy in St. Peter's Square — 12:16 p.m.
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By the Associated Press
Some are obviously deeply moved, others excited. They're clapping and waving national flags and taking photos with their phones.
'Viva il papa!' some shouted.
White smoke is pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney — 12:12 p.m.
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By the Associated Press
It signals that a pope has been elected to lead the Catholic Church.
That means the winner secured at least 89 votes of the 133 cardinals participating in the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis.
The crowd in St. Peter's Square erupted in cheers.
The name will be announced later, when a top cardinal utters the words 'Habemus papam!' Latin for 'We have a pope!' from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica. The cardinal then reads the winner's birth name in Latin, and reveals the name he has chosen to be called.
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The new pope is then expected to make his first public appearance and impart a blessing from the same loggia.
White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the conclave to elect a new pope at the Vatican on Thursday.
Andrew Medichini/Associated Press