Black smoke ascended from the Sistine Chapel's chimney on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, indicating that the College of Cardinals have not elected a new pope.
That being said, we must pray for the College of Cardinals - that they will respond to the Holy Spirit's guidance in this process.
When asked if the Holy Spirit chooses the pope, Pope Benedict XVI (then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger) said,
"I would not say so, in the sense that the Holy Spirit picks out the Pope… I would say that the Spirit does not exactly take control of the affair, but rather, like a good educator, as it were, leaves us much space, much freedom, without entirely abandoning us. Thus the Spirit’s role should be understood in a much more elastic sense—not that he dictates the candidate for whom one must vote. Probably the only assurance he offers is that the thing cannot be totally ruined… There are too many contrary instances of popes the Holy Spirit obviously would not have picked!”
Since the College of Cardinals did not choose a pope on May 7, papal election coverage continues on Thursday, May 8.
How can you watch the smoke coming from the Sistine Chapel's chimney?
EWTN is covering the conclave LIVE from Rome.
This schedule not only includes Rome coverage, but Masses and rosaries offered for the papal election. Live coverage from Rome will begin at 3:30 a.m. ET. Click here for the full schedule.
Watch EWTN's Tuesday live stream (beginning at 2:00 a.m. ET) below:
Missed Wednesday's papal election coverage? Catch up below:
Here's a video of the black smoke ascending from the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, May 7:
Here are some additional videos from Wednesday's papal conclave coverage on social media:
Conclave now: Cardinals process into the Sistine Chapel, singing the Litany of Saints as they prepare to take their solemn oath for the election of the Roman Pontiff. All eyes of the world are fixed on the Vatican. pic.twitter.com/hc3zT0uxVH
— EWTN Vatican (@EWTNVatican) May 7, 2025
Volume Up: Cardinal electors chant the Veni Creator Spiritus as they gather in the Sistine Chapel before taking the oath. This ancient hymn calls upon the Holy Spirit to guide their hearts in selecting the new Pope.
— EWTN Vatican (@EWTNVatican) May 7, 2025
Veni, Creator Spiritus,
mentes tuorum visita,
imple superna… pic.twitter.com/gH4YcRN4zF
Extra omnes! Everyone out! The doors of the Sistine Chapel are closed. The cardinals electors will start the first voting round to elect the 267th pontiff. #Conclave pic.twitter.com/M72YengM9g
— EWTN Vatican (@EWTNVatican) May 7, 2025
Watch the American cardinal electors take their oath of secrecy and fidelity at the Conclave. #Conclave2025 pic.twitter.com/fZ9gZMZ9Gg
— EWTN News (@EWTNews) May 7, 2025
The cardinal electors processed into the Sistine Chapel to take their oath of secrecy and fidelity. #Conclave pic.twitter.com/NuoqWzuvIL
— EWTN Vatican (@EWTNVatican) May 7, 2025
Thousands of Pilgrims Applaud While Awaiting Smoke from the First Vote of the Conclave. pic.twitter.com/02zQMFv7cz
— ChurchPOP (@Church_POP) May 7, 2025