White Smoke Signals a New Era

Following the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church has selected it's new leader. This event, known as the conclave, brought together 119 cardinals from around the world to Rome to vote on who will become the next pope. It was a crucial moment for both Catholics and many people around the globe.

The conclave is an extremely private and secretive process. The cardinals gather inside the Sistine Chapel, located in Rome, and are completely shut off from the outside world until a decision is made. No one knows exactly how long it will take, with it taking anywhere from a few days, to the longest taking around two years. When a decision is made, white smoke is released out of the chapel, indicating that they have decided on a pope. If the cardinals are unable to come to a consensus, black smoke will come out of the building instead.

The pope is important because he serves as a spiritual leader of the Catholic Church and a symbol of unity for millions of people around the world. His role goes beyond religious duties; he speaks out on global issues like poverty, war, climate change, and human rights. Many people, both inside and outside the Church, look to the pope for moral guidance and leadership during difficult times.

On May 8th, 2025 The Church announced that Cardinal Robert Prevost from Chicago had been elected as the new pope. He chose the name Pope Leo XIV, making history as the first American to hold the position. He has a background in missionary work in Peru and leadership roles within the Church as a Bishop of Chiclayo, which many think gives him a mix of traditional and a more modern perspective.

However, reactions about him have been mixed. Some people are excited about having an American pope and hope he brings new ideas to the Church while others are curious about how he will handle ongoing issues like Church reforms and social topics. His first speech focused on peace and unity, which suggests he wants to continue some of the approaches started by Pope Francis. Some of these include environmental protection, social justice, and peace-building.