Countdown Begins: Faithful Await First Smoke to Appear From the Chimney

Vatican City, 7 May, 2025– A hush of reverence hangs over St. Peter’s Square today as throngs of faithful gather outside the Sistine Chapel, their eyes fixed on the chimney above. Inside, the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church have begun the sacred process of electing the next Pope.

Wrapped in scarves and clutching rosaries, pilgrims and tourists from around the world wait patiently, whispering prayers and sharing stories of faith. Some hold flags, others light candles, and many gaze toward the chapel with hope and expectation.

Inside the chapel, the College of Cardinals conducts the secret ballot under centuries-old tradition. The process, known as the conclave, is steeped in ritual and silence. With each round of voting, the world watches for a signal: black smoke for no decision, white smoke for the election of a new Pope. The first smoke is said to be out by 7:00pm Rome time (10:30 pm Indian time)

As the hours pass, attention remains fixed on the thin chimney pipe. The faithful know that with a puff of white smoke, a new chapter in the Church’s history will begin—and the man who steps onto the balcony will carry the hopes of over a billion Catholics around the world.

By Catholic Connect Reporter