Right now in Vatican City, history is being made as the successor to Pope Francis is being chosen by the College of Cardinals.  

133 participants will be voting. However, as they can cast multiple votes, and a winner needs a two-thirds majority, this process can go on for a long time. By modern-day standards, the average is two to three days.  

So, how will we know that the new Pope has been chosen? Simple. There will be smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney after a ballot is passed. If the smoke is white, it means a decision has been reached. If not, the smoke will be black. 

The first round of voting took place on Wednesday, 7 May 2025. After several hours of waiting, crowds were greeted with the first sign of black smoke.

If you want to watch along (and have the patience to observe a chimney for a long period of time), then we’ve got all the information you need – including when the ballots take place today, and how to watch the Sistine Chapel chimney in real time. 

When should you start watching the chimney to signal a new Pope has been chosen? 

The conclave is taking place as we speak, but according to the BBC, the chimney won’t be smoking all day.

This will happen after each ballot is passed. Four are scheduled today, Thursday, 8 May 2025. Here’s what time they’re expected to take place:

  • Ballot 1 – 10:30am CEST – 9:30am BST/4:30am EDT/1:30am PDT
  • Ballot 2 – 12:00pm CEST – 11:00am BST/6:30am EDT/3:30am PDT
  • Ballot 3 – 5:30pm CEST – 4:30pm BST/11:30am EDT/8:30am PDT
  • Ballot 4 – 7:00pm CEST – 6:00pm BST/1:00pm EDT/10:00am PDT

Keep in mind that yesterday, the smoke wasn’t seen until two hours after the first ballot has passed, so these timings are a rough guide at best.

If you see that dreaded black smoke, voting will continue tomorrow, and the process will continue until a Pope has been chosen. 

Vatican Sistine Chapel chimney livestreams 

The Vatican News YouTube channel currently has a livestream of the conclave process, and now has a livestream of the chimney:



Source link