Black smoke emerging from the chimney means the world's 1.4 billion Catholics don't yet have a new pope. White smoke means the cardinals have chosen a new leader of the church.

Smoke will signal a new pope. Francis died April 21 at age 88 after 12 years in his position. The former Argentinian cardinal was the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit.

The new pope, the 267th, was expected to soon make an appearance on a balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square. How long after white smoke will the new pope be named?

The first time white smoke was the indicator that a new pope was elected was in 1914. The previous pope, Pius X, had mandated in 1904 that all papers related to the election, not just the ballots ...

Black smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. Andrew Medichini/AP hide caption ...

People watch as white smoke appears from the Sistine Chapel, indicating a new pope has been selected. AP. Among the top contenders are Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who was the Vatican’s secretary of ...

New pope elected by conclave. White smoke flows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025.(Credit: Reuters) ...

The smoke is a way to let the public know a new pope has been selected. Black smoke billowed from the chimney of Rome's Sistine Chapel on Thursday, indicating the 133 cardinals locked inside still ...

Black smoke was seen rising from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel at 9 p.m. local time Wednesday — signaling to 1.4 billion Catholics that the election of a new pope will continue ...

A successor to Pope Francis had been elected. But there will be a short wait before his identity becomes clear. By Elisabetta Povoledo Now that white smoke has finally billowed out of the chimney ...

The white smoke is famous. When it streams out of a chimney at the Sistine Chapel, it signals that a new pope has been chosen and sets off celebrations among some 1.4 billion Catholics around the ...

Black smoke indicates a non-conclusive answer, and white smoke indicates that a new pope has been selected. Here's what to know about the black and white smoke used during a papal conclave.