The conclave began on May 7, 2025.

The first round of voting took place as night fell in Rome. People from around the world waited for the smoke to come out of the chimney. Black would indicate that a pope had not been chosen and white means that we have a new pope!

For the first time, we are witnessing the conclave in a different way. Voices (both religious and non-religious) across various social media channels are expressing their views, explaining their curiosity with the conclave process, sharing their speculations, and ultimately, watching for white smoke.

Pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter’s Square for hours. We’re told that they were without cell service during this time, too. Many members of the crowd were immersed in prayer, others were fixated on the big screens and cheered periodically during the wait. 

Meanwhile, the internet expressed their impatience with the “delay.”

Here are some reactions across social media after the first few conclave votes:

Patrick Neve shared a very relatable meme depicting every Catholic’s pinpoint focus on the chapel’s chimney.

Similarly, Sister Miriam James shared a gif image imitating Catholics around the world anticipating the chimney smoke..

EWTN host and Fox News correspondent Raymond Arroyo shared a picture of the notorious Room of Tears off the Sistine Chapel, saying, “At least we know what he’ll be wearing. Room of Tears off the Sistine Chapel. #Conclave. Vatican Media.”

The Ascension Press account shared a viral meme playing on Catholics as they anxiously watch the chimney for white smoke.

Another user joked that the delay was due to a logistical problem within the Sistine Chapel, saying, 

“In the Sistine Chapel right now:
‘Give me the matches.’
‘Matches? I thought you had them.’
‘I don’t have them - I thought you had them!’”

Many users noted the infamous seagulls perched near the chimney.

The PrayTheRosary12 account on X guessed what these two birds were conversing about on the chapel roof: “Are you also staring at this chimney?”

Father Vierling joked that the seagull’s antics were the “only action thus far” as he awaited the vote.

Father Cassidy Stinson said, “Shoutout to that one seagull locked in on the Conclave proceedings.”

Father John LoCoco joked, “Most people don’t know, but they replace the gulls with doves when there will be white smoke.”

While some users were more sentimental during the wait:

EWTN journalist Courtney Mares shared a touching moment from her time in Saint Peter’s Square saying,

“Beautiful moments of encounter during the 2-hour wait without cell service for black smoke in St. Peter’s Square tonight.”

EWTN News host Catherine Hadro posted,

“How beautiful that the world is watching the beauty and solemnity of the Catholic Church right now. Come, Holy Spirit.”

You can do many things while waiting for the white smoke.

You can find a series of prayers calling on the Holy Spirit here and more information on how to watch for white smoke here.

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