The cardinals failed to elect a new pope in two votes this morning. They’ll now break for lunch, before returning to the Sistine Chapel this afternoon for the fourth – and potentially fifth – rounds of voting.
Black smoke billows from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, meaning the 133 Cardinal electors have not yet chosen a new Pope. pic.twitter.com/H5U1AxIIky
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 8, 2025
What it takes to get elected: There are 133 voting cardinals, who are all sequestered inside the Vatican during the conclave. Any one of them needs two-thirds of the vote to become the next pope. They’ll keep voting until a new Catholic leader is chosen.
Eyes on the chimney: Thousands are gathering at the Vatican to watch the chapel’s chimney. Black smoke means the cardinals haven’t reached a consensus, and white smoke means there’s a new pope. Here’s how long it took to elect previous popes.