On May 7, 2025, the papal conclave commenced as 133 cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel, sealing themselves off from the outside world – a process shrouded in secrecy and earnestness. The selection of the next pope began during the early evening hours, with the cardinals carefully inscribing their candidate choices onto paper ballots, all while attempting to keep their handwriting anonymous.
Outside in St. Peter’s Square, a gathering of thousands—a mix of devout followers, curious visitors, and tourists—awaited the first signals from the conclave that would determine the new leader of the Catholic Church. The moment of truth came at 9 p.m. when black smoke emerged from a chimney situated atop the chapel.
This black smoke is the result of burning the ballots, indicating that the cardinals failed to elect a new pope in the initial round of voting. Had the smoke been white, it would have signified a successful election, achieving a rare victory of selecting a pontiff in a single round—something not seen in years.
Among those waiting anxiously for news was Reverend Peter Mangum from Monroe, Louisiana, who, along with fellow priests, expressed both disappointment and optimism after seven hours of waiting. “We are cold, we’re hungry, we’re thirsty but yet we can’t move,” he noted, revealing the mixture of exhaustion and hope surrounding the decision-making process within the chapel.
