Why has the Papal Conclave 2025 produced black smoke twice so far?
The Vatican is alive with anticipation. Crowds gather in St. Peter’s Square, their eyes fixed on a small chimney atop the Sistine Chapel.
On May 8, 2025, black smoke rose once again, marking another round of voting without a new pope. This is the second time this week that the cardinals, locked inside the chapel, have failed to choose a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21.
The world watches, waiting for the moment when white smoke will announce a new leader for the Catholic Church’s 1.4 billion followers.
Papal Conclave 2025: Why Black Smoke Matters
Black smoke is a signal that the 133 cardinals voting in the conclave have not reached an agreement. To elect a pope, a candidate needs at least 89 votes, which is two-thirds of the total.
The ballots are burned after each voting session, and chemicals are added to create black smoke when no pope is chosen.
This tradition, dating back centuries, keeps the process secret while letting the world know the outcome. On May 7, the first day of the conclave, black smoke appeared after the initial vote.
The next morning, on May 8, the same dark plume rose again, showing that the cardinals are still deliberating.
The conclave is a sacred and secretive event. Cardinals take an oath to keep their discussions private, and they are cut off from the outside world—no phones, no internet.
They vote up to four times a day, twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon, until a decision is made. If no pope is chosen after three days, they pause for a day of prayer before continuing.
A Diverse and Divided Church
This conclave is the largest and most diverse in history. The 133 cardinals come from 70 countries, reflecting the global reach of the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis appointed 108 of them, choosing many from regions like Mongolia, Sweden, and Tonga, which had never had cardinals before.
This diversity makes the election unpredictable. Some cardinals want a pope who will continue Francis’s progressive reforms, like focusing on the poor and welcoming marginalized groups.
Others prefer a return to traditional values, seeking a more conservative leader.
Names like Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy, a moderate, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, seen as a reformist, are mentioned as possible candidates.
However, no clear favorite has emerged. The cardinals’ discussions touch on big issues: evangelization, clergy abuse scandals, Vatican finances, and global conflicts.
These challenges will shape the next pope’s role in guiding the Church through a complex world.
What’s Next for the Conclave?
The conclave will continue with more voting sessions on May 8 and beyond. Each day, the cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel, surrounded by Michelangelo’s frescoes, to cast their ballots.
The world waits for white smoke, which will signal that a new pope has been chosen.
When that happens, the senior cardinal deacon will step onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and announce “Habemus Papam” — “We have a pope.”
Until then, the black smoke reminds everyone that the search for the next leader of the Catholic Church is still ongoing.
The atmosphere in St. Peter’s Square is electric. Thousands of people, from pilgrims to tourists, stand together, watching giant screens that show the chimney.
Some, like 16-year-old Shirley from the Netherlands, feel the excitement despite the wait. Others, like Barbara Mason from Canada, are glad the cardinals are taking their time to choose carefully.
For now, the Vatican remains a place of hope, prayer, and patience as the world awaits its next pope.
You might also want to read: Cardinals Gather for Day Two of Conclave to Select New Pope
