As the world watches closely, the Vatican City is once again in the spotlight as cardinals continue their efforts to choose the next pope. Following the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, the 133 cardinal electors have been gathering in secrecy to vote for the 267th pontiff. The conclave process has already begun, with black smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel chimney on multiple occasions—each time confirming that a pope has not yet been elected.
Voting is expected to continue for several days, with cardinals casting ballots in up to four rounds per day—two in the morning and two in the afternoon. If no pope is elected, the ballots from two rounds are burned together to produce black smoke, signaling to the public that the election is ongoing. A new pope requires a two-thirds majority in the vote to be chosen.
