See the conclave elect a new pope: Smoke signals, inside the Sistine Chapel, more
Updated April 29, 2025, 2:49 p.m. ET

During the conclave to elect a new pope by secret ballot set to begin in Rome on May 7, 2025, cardinals inside the sealed-off Sistine Chapel will send out a column of smoke to tell onlookers whether they have chosen Pope Francis' successor.
Ahead of the conclave, look back at the historic event in 2013, when Pope Francis was elected to succeed Pope Benedict.
AFP, AFP Via Getty ImagesAhead of the conclave, look back at the historic event in 2013, when Pope Francis was elected to succeed Pope Benedict.

Members of the Vatican Fire Brigade install the chimney on the top of the Sistine Chapel which will emit smoke as cardinals prepare to vote for a new pope on March 9, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinals were set to enter the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI after he became the first pope in 600 years to resign from the role. The conclave was scheduled to start on March 12 inside the Sistine Chapel and was attended by 115 cardinals as they vote to select the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church.
Christopher Furlong, Getty ImagesCardinals enter the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave in order to elect a successor to Pope Benedict at the Vatican March 12, 2013.
Osservatore Romano Via ReutersPeople crowd Saint Peter's Square to await the sight of smoke from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, at the Vatican March 12, 2013.
Tony Gentile, REUTERS
Archbisop of Manila cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (C) and Ghanian Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson (R) attend the Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice Mass at St Peter's Basilica, before they enter the conclave to decide who the next pope will be,on March 12, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Franco Origlia, Getty Images
(Editor note: A fisheye lens has been used for this picture) Cardinals attend the Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice Mass at St Peter's Basilica, before they enter the conclave to decide who the next pope will be, on March 12, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Franco Origlia / Getty ImagesBlack smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City, indicating that no decision has been made after the first voting session on the second day of voting for the election of a new pope March 13, 2013.
Alessandro Bianchi, REUTERS
Photographers take pictures inside the Sistine chapel being prepared for a cardinals conclave on March 9, 2013 at the Vatican.
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Workers make arrangements in the Sistine Chapel before the papal conclave on March 9, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Franco Origlia, Getty Images
Clergy and workers make arrangements in the Sistine Chapel before the papal conclave on March 9, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Franco Origlia, Getty Images
U.S. Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York City enters Our Lady of Guadalupe at Monte Mario where he is the titular head on March 10, 2013 in Rome, Italy.
Spencer Platt, Getty Images
Part of the artwork of Michelangelo that adorns the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican in 2005.
Fotopress, Getty Images
A picture shows the Vatican blason with the Pope symbol made from flowers removed inside the Vatican ahead of the cardinals conclave on March 10, 2013.
JOHANNES EISELE, AFP Via Getty ImagesA view of the fully restored 15th-century Sistine Chapel with the "Last Judgment " by Michelangelo is seen Dec. 10, 1999 after completing a 20-year revamping of this famous chamber where cardinals huddle to elect their new Pope. The operation, to clean marble works and frescoes on the side walls telling the stories of Moses and of Christ, enabled scholars to say with greater precision who painted what.
Paolo Cocco, ReutersJournalist view the "Last Judgment" by Michelangelo Dec. 10, 1999 after a news conference to present the fully restored 15th-century frescoes of the Sistine Chapel after completing a 20-year revamping of this famous chamber where cardinals huddle to elect their new Pope. The operation, to clean marble works and frescoes on the side walls telling the stories of Moses and of Christ, enabled scholars to say with greater precision who painted what.
Paolo Cocco, Reuters
Visitors watch a giant television screen showing a mass being held in the basilica on March 12, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images
A faithful prays at St Peter's square during the conclave on March 12, 2013 at the Vatican.
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Faithful, holding umbrellas, look at a giant screen showing the start of the papal election conclave on St Peter's square on March 12, 2013 at the Vatican.
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People gather at St Peter's square during the conclave on March 12, 2013 at the Vatican. C
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A group of visitors from Pennsylvania wave signs as they wait for an indication as to whether the College of Cardinals have elected a new Pope in St Peter's Square on March 12, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Dan Kitwood, Getty Images
Faithful from the Philippines wave flag during a papal election conclave on March 12, 2013 at St Peter's square at the Vatican.
JOHANNES EISELE, AFP Via Getty Images
Hundreds of people watch a TV screen as they wait for a sign of smoke in St. Peter's Square on March 12, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Spencer Platt, Getty Images
Visitors gather in St Peter's Square as cardinals attend mass before entering the conclave on March 12, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Jeff J Mitchell, Getty ImagesWhite smoke rises from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, indicating a new pope has been elected at the Vatican March 13, 2013.
Tony Gentile, REUTERS
A nun stands at a window at St Peter's square after white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel announcing that Catholic Church cardinals had elected a new pope during a conclave on March 13, 2013 at the Vatican.
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Pontifical Swiss Guards arrive before the introduction of Pope Francis I at Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
A marching band performs before the introduction of Pope Francis I at Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world's over one billion Catholics.
Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images
Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.
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