Robert Prevost has been elected the first North American pope and will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
After he was unveiled as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church, he spoke to huge crowds from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica.
“Peace be with all of you'”, were his first words as pontiff.
White smoke poured from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel shortly before 5pm on Thursday, signalling a new pope had been elected.
Cardinals chose their new leader in the fourth round of voting in the conclave after two inconclusive votes earlier on Thursday and one on Wednesday.
A record 133 cardinals from 70 countries were involved in the secret ballot, up from 115 from 48 nations in the last conclave in 2013.
It follows the death of Pope Francis, 88, on April 21.
Follow the latest updates below....
Coverage paused
22:06 , Matt WattsWe’re pausing our coverage today following the historic election today of Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost, the first ever American Pope.
Thank you for following the days events with us today. We hope you will join us again tomorrow.
Pope to lead mass tomorrow
21:09 , Bill BowkettPope Leo XIV will celebrate mass at 11am Friday at 10am, the Vatican has confirmed.
He will also hold an audience with journalists on Monday.
Obama congratulates 'fellow Chicagoan'
21:00 , Bill Bowkett“Michelle and I send our congratulations to a fellow Chicagoan, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV,” Former US president Barack Obama said. “This is a historic day for the United States, and we will pray for him as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church and setting an example for so many, regardless of faith.
Joe Biden, a devout Catholic, added: “Habemus papam. May God bless Pope Leo XIV of Illinois.”
Archbishop of York ' looks forward' to working with new pope
20:29 , Matt WattsThe Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said he will “look forward to working with” Pope Leo XIV as he welcomed the pontiff’s appointment on Thursday.
“I share in the great joy of our Roman Catholic sisters and brothers in welcoming His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as the Bishop of Rome. With Christians around the world, I will be praying for the new Pope as he takes on the enormous challenges and responsibilities of the Petrine ministry,” he said in a statement.
“Pope Leo XIV’s many years of pastoral experience, his commitment to justice, and his deep spirituality are an example of life lived in service to Jesus Christ.
“As Anglicans we give thanks for his call to Christians to be bridge-builders across the divisions of our world, and the divisions that continue to exist between churches. This is something Jesus asks of us. He prays that the church will be one.
“This evening, the new Pope spoke of a Church that seeks peace and remains close to those who suffer. Our wounded world needs the justice, healing and hope of Jesus Christ, and we look forward to working with Pope Leo XIV and Roman Catholics in every place to share that love with those in need.
“I pray that God’s sustaining Spirit will uphold the new Pope in his service of Christ.”
Keir Starmer congratulates Pope Leo XIV
19:28 , Matt WattsPrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has hailed the election of the first American Pope as a “momentous moment” .
He said: “The election of Pope Leo XIV is a deeply profound moment of joy for Catholics in the United Kingdom and globally, and begins a new chapter for the leadership of the Church and in the world.
“Pope Leo is the first American Pope. This is a momentous moment.
“As Pope Francis’ papacy showed, the Holy See has a special role to play in bringing people and nations together to address the major issues of our time; especially on climate change, alleviating poverty and promoting peace and justice across the world.
“I look forward to meeting the Holy Father and continuing to work closely with the Catholic Church here in the UK and internationally to advance our shared values and the common good.”
'Such an honour': Donald Trump congratulates Pope Leo XIV
19:02 , Matt WattsUS President Donald Trump described an American becoming pope as "such an honour" for his country.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said: "What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
Who is Robert Prevost? The first North American elected pope
18:53Cardinal Robert Prevost, whose papal name will be Pope Leo XIV, has become the first North American pope.
Cardinal Prevost, 69, who was born in Chicago, spent years in Peru, first as a missionary and then an archbishop.
He is seen as a reformer in the mould of Pope Francis, who sent Cardinal Prevost to run the diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2014.
Cardinal Prevost liked the country so much that he acquired Peruvian citizenship in 2015.
He ran that diocese until 2023, when Francis brought him to Rome to be head of the Vatican’s powerful Dicastery for Bishops, in charge of vetting nominations for senior clergy around the world.
Prevost was also president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, a job that kept him in regular contact with the Catholic hierarchy in a region of the world that still counts the most Catholics.
A Vatican insider told the Telegraph: “He was not one of the obvious candidates, but he knows everybody, he spent 30 years as a missionary, he has languages.
“His time in Peru means he is one of the least ‘American’ of the American cardinals. But he understands America and he can speak to the country, which is important in the Trump era.”
'Peace be with all of you': Pope Leo XIV says his first public words
18:35 , Matt WattsPeace be with all you," Pope Leo XIV said from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on Thursday, in his first public words.
In his speech to the crowd below he recalled he was an Augustinian priest, but that he was above all a Christian above all and a bishop, "So we can all walk together."
He spoke in Italian and then switched to Spanish, recalling his many years spent as a missionary and then archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru.
Pope Leo XIV: Robert Prevost has been elected the first American pope
18:24 , Matt WattsRobert Prevost has been elected the first American pope in history and will be known as Pope Leo XIV and has just appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.
New pope being announced now
18:14 , Matt WattsThe new pope is now being announced from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.
Speed of choice is a sign of church unity, Vatican says
18:11 , Matt WattsCardinals taking only four rounds of voting is "a clear sign of the unity of the Church," a cardinal has told the BBC.
Italian Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi was speaking in the Vatican press office.
The new pope was picked even faster than his predecessor Francis.
Donald Trump reacts: 'I saw the smoke but I haven't seen the pope'
18:06 , Matt WattsPresident Donald Trump was asked about the white smoke signaling that a new pope had been chosen. He offered little immediate reaction.
"I saw the smoke but I haven't seen the pope," Trump told reporters on his way out of a White House event with military mothers.
Band appears alongside Swiss Guard after pope chosen
17:54A marching band began to play while walking through the cheering crowds at the Vatican folloowing the news a new pope has been chosen.
Walking alongside them was the Swiss Guards, dressed in their blue and yellow striped uniform.
People in the crowd applauded and held up phones to capture the sight.
In pictures: Celebratory scenes as crowds cheer 'Long live the Pope!'
17:37A joyous crowd in St. Peter's Square cheered and applauded as the first puffs of smoke emerged from a small chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals have been holding their secret ballot.
"Long Live the Pope!" the crowds cheered in bright sunshine. "We have a pope!" said one sign held aloft.
When will the name of the new pope be announced?
17:16 , Matt WattsThe name of the new pope will be announced later, when a top cardinal utters the words "Habemus papam!" Latin for "We have a pope!" from the central balcony 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.
The new pope is then expected to make his first public appearance and impart a blessing from the same loggia.
White smoke signals new pope has been chosen
17:15 , Matt WattsCardinals have elected a new pope after white smoke was seen pouring from Cistine Chapel chimney.
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.
Fourth vote expected shortly
16:49 , Matt WattsThe results of the fourth conclave vote are expected soon, after two previous unsuccessful rounds this morning and one last night.
Crowds in St Peter’s Square are excitedly anticipating the result of the latest vote.
What do we know about the current conclave
15:55 , Nuray BulbulWith almost two dozen cardinals from nations that have never before had a role in the election, this conclave is the biggest and most diverse in history.
During his 12-year pontificate, Pope Francis expanded the College of Cardinals' membership to include representatives from Bangladesh, Malaysia, Haiti, and Myanmar.
Cardinals are back in the Sistine Chapel
15:46 , Nuray BulbulAfter this morning's voting, the 133 cardinals that comprise this conclave have returned to the Sistine Chapel after taking a lunch break.
This afternoon, they could cast two more votes: at 17:30 local time (16:30 BST) and again at 19:00 (18:00 BST) if no agreement is accomplished.
A two-thirds majority, or 89 votes in this conclave, is needed to elect a new pope, and that can take some time.
In the past few conclaves, the average duration was three days, with seven ballots. Up to four more ballots will be cast tomorrow if no new pope is chosen today.
What do cardinals eat during the conclave?
14:27 , Nuray BulbulConclaves are infamously private gatherings. With the exception of the smoke that indicates whether a vote was successful, the cardinals are confined to a single shared area and are not permitted to send or receive communications.
It's unclear exactly what goes on in these conclaves, but one thing is certain: the cardinals aren’t served Michelin star meals.
The nuns at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the contemporary home where cardinals reside during their sequestration, prepare minestrone, spaghetti, arrosticini (lamb skewers), and boiled vegetables for the current conclave, according to the BBC.
To make sure that no communications from the outside world get through, the food is strictly monitored.
Certain dishes, like a whole roast chicken, stuffed ravioli, pies, or even rigatoni, are prohibited and were closely examined at earlier conclaves because they were seen to be prime targets for clandestine communication.
The custom of secret-safe food originated in an era when the papacy's influence was much more entwined with political affairs, and maintaining communication with the outside world during the confidential processes may have disastrous results.
Pope Gregory X first established the guidelines for cardinals' diets in 1274, during the conclave that established the standard for today's secrecy.
These guidelines occasionally called for the use of clear glasses only and a careful examination of all waste and napkins.
No more smoke is expected until at least after 4pm local time
13:00 , Megan HoweBlack smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel on Thursday morning, signalling a new pope has yet to be chosen.
Cardinals resumed their voting in the secret conclave, having already failed to choose a new pope in the first round of voting on Wednesday evening.
Up to four rounds of voting can take place each full day of conclave, two in the morning and two in the afternoon.
Smoke is only expected up to twice a day, as ballots from two successive rounds are generally burned together if no pope is chosen in either round.
According to reports in Italian media, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, said on Thursday: "I hope that when I return to Rome this evening, I'll find the white smoke already rising."
What happens next?
11:40 , Nuray BulbulAfter three rounds of voting, there was still no decision on the new pope, as evidenced by the black smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney before noon.
Following the two morning votes, 133 cardinal elects are currently having a lunch break. This afternoon/evening, two further rounds are planned to begin at 4.30pm local time (3.30pm BST).
Crowds wait for a decision to be made
11:29 , Nuray BulbulLarge crowds continue waiting as black smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel as voting for a new pope continues.
What was the longest conclave?
11:17 , Nuray BulbulGregory X was elected in the longest conclave in history, which lasted more than 1,000 days, from 1268 to 1271.
The current form of the conclave, where cardinals are isolated and can concentrate on the task at hand without other distractions, was established as a result of that protracted papal vacancy.
But if we were to look at the last 150 years, Pius XI in 1922, took 5 days to elect.
After five voting rounds, Francis was chosen on the second day of 2013.
Recent history seems to suggest they usually need 2 or 3 days, so we could be close to that moment.
How long does it take to elect a new Pope?
11:12 , Nuray BulbulNew popes are often chosen on the third day of the conclave, following eight ballots, Vatican News suggests.
After five votes, Pope Francis was elected on the second day of the 2013 conclave.
This conclave has only produced two ballots so far, but there's two more votes on the way today.
Two more votes today
11:07 , Nuray BulbulTwo more votes are scheduled for this afternoon and evening.
It is anticipated that the cardinals will take a lunch break and return to the Sistine Chapel at approximately 4.30pm local time (3.30pm London).
Who could be the next pope?
11:02 , Nuray BulbulThe duty of selecting the new head of the Catholic Church is being carried out by 133 cardinal electors in the ongoing papal conclave.
The future pontiff is quite hard to predict.
Following Pope Francis’ election, he declared that he had no intention of becoming pope and had no desire to do so.
This conclave is expected to be more unpredictable than ever, according to Vatican observers.
For the first time since John Paul I almost half a century ago, the position might be returned to an Italian. Or the next pope might come from Asia or Africa, for the first time in modern history.
The Standard has prepared a list of frontrunners that are worth looking into here.
Black smoke emerges as no Pope elected on second day
10:54 , Nuray BulbulThe Sistine Chapel chimney releases black smoke, indicating that no new Pope has been chosen.
To choose a new head of the Catholic Church, the 133 cardinals must reach a two-thirds majority.
After three voting rounds, this is the second black smoke signal of the conclave.
What can we expect today?
07:45 , Megan HoweCardinals will return to the Sistine Chapel on Thursday to resume voting for a new pope after the first conclave ballot failed to find a winner, sending billowing black smoke through the chapel chimney.
Some of the 133 voting cardinals had said they expected a short conclave to replace Pope Francis.
But it will likely take a few rounds of voting for one man to secure the two-thirds majority, or 89 ballots, necessary to become the 267th pope.
For much of the past century, the conclave has needed between three and 14 ballots to find a pope.
John Paul I — the pope who reigned for 33 days in 1978 — was elected on the fourth ballot. His successor, John Paul II, needed eight. Francis was elected on the fifth in 2013.
The cardinals opened the secretive, centuries-old ritual Wednesday afternoon, participating in a rite more theatrical than even Hollywood could create.
In pictures: People seen queuing to enter St Peter's Square
07:41 , Megan HowePeople have been queuing up in the early morning sunshine to get into St Peter’s Square, which is the main square outside St Peter’s Basilica.
Cardinals will be having breakfast before mass and then another day of votes.
Here are some pictures of the queues this morning:
Good morning
06:48 , Michael HowieWe’re resuming our coverage of the conclave to elect a new pope.
Cardinals will take part in more votes today after a first poll on Wednesday failed to produce a result.
We’ll keep you informed of all the major developments as the day progresses.
Coverage ends for the day
Wednesday 7 May 2025 20:31With no pope chosen today, we will be pausing our coverage head of voting continuing tomorrow in the conclave.
Thanks for following the day’s events with us, and we look forward to you joining us again tomorrow.
Read a round-up of today’s historic first day of the conclave in this report.
Votes to choose new pope will continue on Thursday
Wednesday 7 May 2025 20:26 , Matt WattsWith the first vote over and no pope chosen, votes will continue tomorrow.
Tomorrow morning, cardinals will have breakfast from around 06:30 (05:30 BST) ahead of Mass, before more votes will take place.
During the conclave that takes place in the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals live in the Casa Santa Marta, a five-storey guesthouse with 106 suites, 22 single rooms and a state apartment.
Cardinals are forbidden from speaking to outsiders during this period.
While their seclusion could last for an indefinite period, it could well be the pope is chosen tomorrow.
Both Pope Francis and his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, were elected after two days so tomorrow could see the choosing of the new pope.
Black smoke signals no pope has been elected in first vote by cardinals
Wednesday 7 May 2025 20:05 , Matt WattsThe first vote in the secret conclave has failed to elect a new pope after black smoke was seen coming from the chiney at the Vatican.
Large crowds have congregated in the square near the Sistine Chapel in anticipation of seeing the first puffs of smoke from the chapel chimney showing whether a pope had been elected or not.
Smoke is expected to appear from the chimney soon - either, as expected, black smoke to show a new pope has not yet been decided, or white smole to indicate the Catholic church has a new leader.
Three UK cardinals taking part in vote
Wednesday 7 May 2025 17:26 , Matt WattsThree UK cardinals taking part in conclave - Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe and Rome-based Cardinal Arthur Roche.
Cardinal Nichols had called on people to pray for himself and other cardinals as they embark on the secret voting process, adding that he feels "quite intimidated" knowing the world is watching to see who they choose.
The voting cardinals - those aged under 80 who are the only ones eligible to cast a ballot - were urged to "invoke the help of the Holy Spirit" to help them elect a pope "whom the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history".
Addressing them in St Peter's Basilica, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re said: "To pray, by invoking the Holy Spirit, is the only right and proper attitude to take as the cardinal electors prepare to undertake an act of the highest human and ecclesial responsibility and to make a choice of exceptional importance.
What happens now?
Wednesday 7 May 2025 16:55The conclave has now begun.
In a ritual dating back to medieval times, 133 cardinal electors walked slowly into the chapel before taking an oath of perpetual secrecy under the gaze of the stern Christ depicted in Michelangelo's Last Judgement fresco, which adorns the chapel.
Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Vatican's master of ceremonies, then pronounced the Latin command "Extra omnes!" (Everyone out!), telling all those not involved in the conclave to leave.
The chapel's doors were slammed shut, allowing the cardinals to hold their first ballot to look for a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month.
No pope has been elected on the first day of a conclave for centuries and voting could continue for several days before one man receives the necessary two-thirds majority to become the 267th pontiff.
There will be only one ballot on Wednesday.
Thereafter, there can be as many as four votes a day.
The only expected signal from the cardinals during the conclave will come in the form of smoke from a chimney atop the chapel, as the clerics burn their ballots.
Black smoke will mark an inconclusive vote; white smoke and the pealing of bells will signal that the 1.4-billion-member Church has a new leader.
No smoke is expected until at least 6pm GMT.
Cardinals conclude swearing of conclave oath - vote to begin shortly
Wednesday 7 May 2025 16:44 , Matt WattsThe last of the electing cardinals has taken their oath, meaning the secret election will begin shortly.
The doors will soon close to the Sistine Chapel when the voting will begin.
Cardinals continue to swear the conclave oath
Wednesday 7 May 2025 16:37 , Megan HoweCardinals are continuing to line up to swear their oath to abide by the rules of the conclave.
There are 133 cardinals waiting their turn to take the oath.
All have vowed to observe “absolute and perpetual secrecy”.
Cardinals have come from across the world but they are speaking Latin, which is the official language of the Roman Catholic Church.
No connection with the outside world
Wednesday 7 May 2025 16:19 , Megan HoweCardinal Pietro Parolin, the secretary of state under Francis and himself a leading contender to succeed as pope, assumed the leadership of the proceedings.
Speaking in Latin, Parolin stood before Michelangelo's masterpiece "The Last Judgment," and led the cardinals in a lengthy oath.
Each one followed, placing his hand on the Gospel and promising to maintain utmost secrecy.
Hailing from 70 countries, the cardinals have been sequestered from the outside world, their cellphones surrendered and airwaves around the Vatican jammed to prevent all communications until they find a new leader for the 1.4 billion-member church.
Many cardinals hadn't met until last week and lamented they needed more time to get to know one another, raising questions about how long it might take for one man to secure the two-thirds majority, or 89 ballots, necessary to become the 267th pope.
Cardinals take oath of secrecy ahead of conclave
Wednesday 7 May 2025 16:09 , Megan HoweCardinals have gathered in the Sistine Chapel this afternoon and are lining up to take the oath of secrecy ahead of the conclave.
Two by two, the cardinals entered the chapel chanting the meditative "Litany of the Saints" as Swiss Guards stood at attention.
The hymn implores the saints to help the cardinals find a new leader of the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church.
They bowed before the altar and took their places.
In pictures: Cardinals start procession to the Sistine Chapel
Wednesday 7 May 2025 15:54 , Megan HoweCardinals have started making their way to the Sistine Chapel ahead of the vote this afternoon.
How long does a conclave last?
Wednesday 7 May 2025 15:39 , Megan HoweThe longest conclave ever went on from 1268 to 1271 when Pope Gregory X was elected after an almost three-year process.
The shortest conclave lasted just 10 hours in 1503 when Pope Julius II was elected.
Generally, conclaves will last between two to three days.
The first vote will happen this evening and if there is no decision, the cardinals will come back and repeat the process tomorrow.
Who are the frontrunners in line to be the next pope?
Wednesday 7 May 2025 14:12 , Megan HoweVoting will continue each day until a two-thirds majority is reached on a successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21 aged 88.
So, who are the frontrunners?
The Standard breaks it down:
Who could be the next pope? All the cardinals in the running for the Papacy
Cardinals watching Conclave the film as 'research' for the real event - reports
Wednesday 7 May 2025 13:28 , Megan HoweCatholic cardinals have been watching the Oscar-nominated film “Conclave”, starring Ralph Fiennes, as a reference point for the real event, according to Politico.
A cleric involved in the event told the news website “some have watched it in the cinema”.
The film has been praised for its accuracy, the cleric said, which has made it a helpful research tool for cardinals, many of whom have little experience of Vatican politics and protocol.
A majority of the cardinals who travelled to Rome in the weeks following Pope Francis’ death had never experienced a conclave, according to Politico.
Many also came from small, previously overlooked dioceses across the globe.
Who is the next pope likely to be?
Wednesday 7 May 2025 11:56 , Megan HoweAny baptised Catholic man could become the next pontiff, but it is highly unlikely the chosen one would be anyone other than a cardinal.
Only cardinals who were aged under 80 on the day of the pope's death are eligible to vote but older cardinals not sitting in conclave could be elected.
While there has been much speculation as to the frontrunners, one expert described this conclave as "totally unpredictable".
UK theologian Professor Anna Rowlands said this is because the make-up of this College of Cardinals is "very different from anyone that's been here to elect a pope before", with higher than usual numbers of electors from Africa and Asia, chosen by Pope Francis.
Catholic commentator Georgia Clarke said there is "a tension between wanting a scholar and wanting a pastor".
She said: "We saw with Pope Benedict we very much had a scholar, and then in Pope Francis we very much had a pastor. Obviously it would be great if we could have both."
Cardinal urges peers to vote for pope who can lead church through 'difficult and complex' period of history
Wednesday 7 May 2025 11:01 , Megan HoweCardinals charged with picking a new pope to lead the Catholic Church have been told they are making a "choice of exceptional importance".
Dressed in distinctive red vestments, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re said: "We are here to invoke the help of the Holy Spirit, to implore his light and strength so that the pope elected may be he whom the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history.
"To pray, by invoking the Holy Spirit, is the only right and proper attitude to take as the cardinal electors prepare to undertake an act of the highest human and ecclesial responsibility and to make a choice of exceptional importance.
"This is a human act for which every personal consideration must be set aside, keeping in mind and heart only the God of Jesus Christ and the good of the Church and of humanity."
In pictures: Holy Mass takes place in St Peter's Basilica
Wednesday 7 May 2025 10:14 , Megan HoweA Holy Mass is being celebrated for the election of a new pope in St Peter’s Basilica.
The service, which is being televised, is presided over by Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old Cardinal Dean.
Cardinals take part in mass ahead of conclave
Wednesday 7 May 2025 09:17 , Megan HoweCardinals attend a mass at St Peter’s Basilica ahead of the conclave this afternoon.
The dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, celebrated the mass, which is meant to pray for cardinals to find the wisdom, counsel and understanding to elect a worthy new shepherd.
This afternoon, the cardinals will walk solemnly into the Sistine Chapel, chanting the meditative "Litany of the Saints" and the Latin hymn "Veni Creator," imploring the saints and the Holy Spirit to help them pick a pope.
Once there, they pledge to maintain secrecy about what is about to transpire and to not allow "any interference, opposition or any other form of intervention" from outsiders to influence their voting.
.jpg)
Lord Mayor of Westminster meets Vatican’s top official as conclave voting begins
Wednesday 7 May 2025 08:43 , Megan HoweThe Lord Mayor of Westminster was among senior Catholics who gathered for a special Mass at Westminster Cathedral to mark the beginning of today’s Conclave.
Led by celebrant Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, the congregation prayed for the Cardinals as they begin voting to choose the successor to Pope Francis.
The Papal Nuncio spoke of Pope Francis’s simple style, concern for the marginalised, and said he hoped the successor to the Holy See would again be a “man of the people.”
Speaking after the Mass, the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Robert Rigby, said: “I was particularly struck by His Excellency’s reminder that the late Pope Francis always sought to be a man of the people with a simple style.
“Given instability throughout the world, that approach seems more urgently needed than ever. It felt like an important moment to gather with Catholics in London as we prepare to welcome a new Pope in hopefully just a few days’ time.”
Since becoming Lord Mayor in May 2024, Cllr Rigby has regularly spoken about his Catholic faith in public life. A former chair of the Catholic Union, one his chosen charities for the one-year term as Lord Mayor is the Cardinal Hume Centre, which specialises in helping homeless teenagers.
The world needs a voice that transcends borders — that’s what the conclave gives us, Dr Rowan Williams writes
Wednesday 7 May 2025 08:29 , Megan HoweIt is not often that reality imitates art quite so promptly.
Just a month or two after most of us first watched Ralph Fiennes in Conclave, we have a chance to see the real thing.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, and today in the Sistine Chapel the actual conclave is gathering — the meeting of the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church (or rather all those under 80) to elect a successor over the coming days.
The world needs a voice that transcends borders — that’s what the conclave gives us
How does the voting work?
Wednesday 7 May 2025 08:09 , Megan HoweThe voting follows a strict choreography, dictated by church law.
Each cardinal writes his choice on a paper inscribed with the words "Eligo in summen pontificem" — "I elect as Supreme Pontiff."
They approach the altar one by one and say: "I call as my witness, Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who, before God, I think should be elected."
The folded ballot is placed on a round plate and tipped into an oval silver and gold urn.
Once cast, the ballots are opened one by one by three different "scrutineers," cardinals selected at random who write down the names and read them aloud.
Cardinals can keep their own tally on a sheet of paper provided but must turn their notes in to be burned at the end of voting.
The scrutineers, whose work is checked by other cardinals called revisors, then add up the results of each round of balloting and write the results down on a separate sheet of paper, which is preserved in the papal archives.
As the scrutineer reads out each name, he pierces each ballot with a needle through the word "Eligo" and binds them with thread and ties a knot.
The ballots are then put aside and burned in the chapel stove along with a chemical to produce either black smoke to signal no winner, or white smoke to announce that a new pope has been elected.
What times are events happening today?
Wednesday 7 May 2025 07:51 , Megan HoweAt around 6am BST (7am local time) cardinals moved into rooms in the Sanctae Marthae - a guest house in the Vatican
At 9am BST (10am local time) the cardinals are expected to gather at St Peter's Basilica for a mass
At 3.45pm BST (4.45pm local time) the cardinals will start a procession from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel
At around 4.30pm BST (5.30pm local time) everyone but electors must leave the Sistine Chapel. When “extra omnes” is pronounced the cardinals’ isolation will start - marking the start of the conclave
At around 5pm BST (6pm local time) a set of smoke is released after the first ballot
If a new Pope is not announced on Wednesday, cardinals will have breakfast on Thursday morning from 5.30am BST (6.30am local time) ahead of mass before two scheduled votes.
Sun rises over St Peter's Basilica
Wednesday 7 May 2025 07:25St Peter's Basilica is bathed in early morning light on the first day of the conclave, as the process of electing a successor to Pope Francis is set to get under way.
How long does it take?
Wednesday 7 May 2025 07:18 , Michael HowieThe longest conclave in history lasted nearly three years, but it’s reasonable to assume that this conclave will be much, much shorter.
Cardinals this week said they expect a short conclave, though it will likely take at least a few rounds of voting.
For most of the past century, it has taken between three and eight ballots to find a pope. John Paul I - the pope who reigned for 33 days - was elected on the third ballot in 1978. His successor, St. John Paul II, needed eight. Francis was elected on the fifth in 2013.
Key points
Wednesday 7 May 2025 07:17 , Michael HowieLet’s start with some key points about the conclave.
* It was called after Pope Francis died on April 21 at the age of 88.
* The cardinals are cut off from the world at the Vatican, between residences and the Sistine Chapel, where they vote in secret - and in silence - beneath Michelangelo’s famed ceiling fresco of the Creation and his monumental “Last Judgment.”
* The process - fictionalised in the 2024 political thriller “Conclave” - is said to be guided by the Holy Spirit, and is designed to be both contemplative and free from outside interference.
* Taking no chances, the Vatican is asking cardinals to hand over their phones for the duration of the conclave and is deactivating cell phone coverage at the Vatican. It also plans to use signal jammers around the Sistine Chapel and the Domus Santa Marta hotel and adjacent residence where the cardinals will sleep, in order to prevent surveillance and communication with the outside world.
* The electors cast paper ballots, and voting continues until one candidate receives a two-thirds majority, or 89 votes. After two rounds of voting, ballots are burned in a special stove - black smoke signals no decision, while white smoke means a new pope has been chosen.
* Electors must be under 80 years old, and are more geographically diverse than ever. They represent Catholicism’s growing presence in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as well as its traditional power base in Europe.
Conclave set to begin
Wednesday 7 May 2025 07:14 , Michael HowieSome 133 cardinals are sequestering themselves behind the Vatican’s medieval walls for the start of a conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis.
The ritual-filled conclave begins at 9am BST when voting cardinals will attend a mass at in St Peter’s Basilica. They will carry out their first vote this evening in what could be a long process until the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church is chosen.
