On May 7, 2025, a gathering of thousands awaits the outcome of the papal succession voting, while cardinals inside the chapel grapple with the weight of their decision-making.
Papal Election: A Wait for White Smoke Tomorrow?
Papal Election: A Wait for White Smoke Tomorrow?
As cardinals sequester in the Sistine Chapel for the papal vote, excitement builds among the masses in St. Peter’s Square.
As the sun sets over Vatican City, 133 cardinals are gathered within the Sistine Chapel, embarking on the solemn duty of selecting the next successor to Pope Francis. This highly anticipated voting process, shrouded in secrecy, has drawn a vibrant crowd to St. Peter's Square, where the faithful and onlookers alike are filled with anticipation.
The first signal of whether a new pope has been elected is marked by the color of the smoke from the chapel's chimney. If the smoke appears white, it will be a joyous announcement of a speedy decision; however, any sign of black smoke indicates that the cardinals have failed to reach a consensus after one round of voting.
As night falls, cheers and gasps ripple through the crowd as the black smoke ascends from the chimney. "We expected white smoke, but instead we received black," lamented Father Peter Mangum, a priest witnessing the occasion for the fourth time. With a profound sense of hunger and thirst among the waiting crowd, the atmosphere remains electric, each individual hoping to witness history in the making. As speculations of subsequent votes loom, many cling to their faith that a new pope will soon emerge, illuminating the future of the Catholic Church.
