People watch and react in St. Peter's Square as black smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel meaning a new pope is not yet elected on May 08, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinals of the Catholic Church have descended on Vatican City to commence the papal conclave, the secretive voting process held in the Sistine Chapel that requires a two-thirds majority to elect the new leader of the Catholic Church. The election follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88.

People watch and react in St. Peter's Square as black smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel meaning a new pope is not yet elected on May 08, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinals of the Catholic Church have descended on Vatican City to commence the papal conclave, the secretive voting process held in the Sistine Chapel that requires a two-thirds majority to elect the new leader of the Catholic Church. The election follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88.