LIVE UPDATES: No pope yet as black smoke rises from Sistine Chapel

Black smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on May 7, 2025, indicating no pope has been chosen yet. / Credit: EWTN News/YouTube screenshotCNA Newsroom, May 8, 2025 / 03:27 am (CNA).Follow here for live coverage as the conclave unfolds: updates, insights, and key moments in the election of the 266th successor to St. Peter and 267th leader of the Catholic Church.

LIVE UPDATES: Second time black smoke billows from Sistine Chapel chimney

Black smoke billows from the chimney at 11:53 am local time over St. Peter's square on May 8, 2025 — the second time smoke for this conclave / Screenshot / Vatican MediaCNA Newsroom, May 8, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).Follow here for live coverage as the conclave unfolds: updates, insights, and key moments in the election of the 266th successor to St. Peter and 267th leader of the Catholic Church.

LIVE UPDATES: Cardinal Robert Prevost elected pope, takes name Leo XIV

null / Credit: CNACNA Newsroom, May 8, 2025 / 13:14 pm (CNA).Follow here for live coverage as the conclave unfolds: updates, insights, and key moments in the election of the 266th successor to St. Peter and 267th leader of the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost elected as 267th pope, takes name Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV waves to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square shortly after his election on Thursday, May 8, 2025 / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAVatican City, May 8, 2025 / 12:11 pm (CNA).Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the 267th pope of the Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. White smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 6:09 p.m. Rome time on Thursday, signaling that the College of Cardinals had chosen a successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21. Thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square erupted in cheers as the bells of the basilica began to toll, confirming the election of a new pontiff. The crowds gathered as word spread throughout Rome that a new pope had been chosen. The new pontiff appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at approximately 7:25 p.m. local time, where Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the protodeacon of the College of Cardinals and prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, announced in Latin: "Annuntio vobis ga...

EWTN's Michael Warsaw celebrates 'momentous' election of first American pope

Michael Warsaw, CEO of EWTN. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNAWashington, D.C. Newsroom, May 8, 2025 / 17:26 pm (CNA).EWTN Chairman and CEO Michael Warsaw reacted with joy to the election of the first American pontiff."It is with great joy that I welcome the election of Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV," Warsaw said in a statement. "The election of a new pope is always a historic moment in the life of the Church, but the election of the first American-born pope is particularly momentous."Reflecting on the new pope's trajectory, Warsaw noted that "the new Holy Father carries with him enormous experience as a missionary priest and bishop, which no doubt will help to shape his ministry as the 266th successor of St. Peter."Warsaw, who under Pope Francis served as a consultor with the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication, added that "on behalf of the global EWTN family, I want to assure Pope Leo of our prayers as he begins his service to the universal Church."...

LIVE UPDATES: Cardinal Re outlines vision for next papacy in pre-conclave homily

The Sistine Chapel awaits the arrival of cardinal electors for the conclave to elect the next pope, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. / Credit: Vatican MediaCNA Newsroom, May 7, 2025 / 07:44 am (CNA).The conclave to elect Pope Francis' successor will begin on May 7, as the Church enters the final preparatory phase for choosing its 267th pope.Follow here for live updates of the latest news and information on the papal transition:

Gamblers are betting millions of dollars on who will be the next pope

Cardinals celebrate the sixth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on May 1, 2025, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNAWashington, D.C. Newsroom, May 7, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).As online gambling continues to grow in the United States, mostly on sports and casino games, bookmakers have also opened betting markets for a variety of other contests, including the current papal conclave.The College of Cardinals is now in the midst of a papal conclave to select the next earthly head of the Catholic Church in a solemn closed-door process. This conclave has attracted global interest from Catholics and non-Catholics alike, along with tens of millions of dollars' worth of bets on the outcome.Polymarket, a popular cryptocurrency-based betting platform, is overseeing more than $18 million worth of bets on the papal conclave. Another platform, Kalshi, is managing nearly $6.7 million.The oddsmakers on Polymarket list Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Paroli...

Vatican honors 167 Catholics killed in 2019 Sri Lanka Easter Sunday bombings

A woman pays tribute to victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks at a cemetery in Negombo, Sri Lanka, on April 21, 2022, marking three years since the tragic attacks. / Credit: Ruwan Walpola/ShutterstockWashington, D.C. Newsroom, May 6, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).The archbishop of Colombo, Sri Lanka, announced this week that the 167 Catholics killed in the Sri Lanka Easter Sunday bombings in 2019 will be included on the list of "Witnesses of Faith" established by Pope Francis.Inspired by an apostolic letter by Pope John Paul II, who wanted to ensure the legacy of the "unknown soldiers of God's great cause" was not lost, Pope Francis created the Commission of the New Martyrs - Witnesses of the Faith in 2023. Francis sought to acknowledge Catholics who have lost their lives while professing their faith in the first quarter of the 21st century. Compiled by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year, the list is an ongoing catalogue of Christ...

Bishop Barron: Next pope should be 'a believer in Jesus' before anything else

Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, Bishop Robert Barron speaks to EWTN News Vatican Correspondent Colm Flynn in Rome on Monday, May 5, 2025. / Credit: EWTN NewsCNA Staff, May 6, 2025 / 10:27 am (CNA).Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, this week said the next pope should be a disciple of Christ first and foremost, one who places "the declaration of Jesus" at the center of his papacy. Barron spoke to EWTN News Vatican Correspondent Colm Flynn on May 5 in Rome. The U.S. prelate noted that the Church is on "pins and needles" during the interregnum before the election of the next pope, though he admitted it's "an exciting time."Asked by Flynn about the commentary that has proliferated around the papacy since Pope Francis' death on April 21, Barron said the "politicization" of the papal selection process reflects a "lack of proper prioritization." The bishop pointed to Australian priest and theologian Father Gerald Glynn O'Collins, SJ, who when  asked what ...

Cardinals witness destruction of Pope Francis' ring, seal

The papal fisherman's ring and lead seal are nulled during the 12th general congregation of the College of Cardinals on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. / Credit: Vatican MediaVatican City, May 6, 2025 / 09:46 am (CNA).The papal fisherman's ring and lead seal were nulled during the 12th general congregation of the College of Cardinals on Tuesday.The ring and seal are destroyed or nulled after a pope's death to prevent their future misuse to seal official documents.Cardinal Kevin Farrell and the College of Cardinals witness the cancellation of papal fisherman's ring and lead seal of Pope Francis on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican MediaVatican Media shared photos and videos of the cancellation of the ring and seal on May 6, and the X account of the Vatican secretary of state said the procedure was carried out in the presence of camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell and the College of Cardinals in the New Synod Hall.Come tradizione in tempo di Sede Vac...