Voting for next Pope: All eyes on Sistine Chapel's chimney for smoke colour as conclave begins

On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, cardinals gathered in the Pauline Chapel before processing into the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave that would elect the successor to the late Pope Francis. (Image: AP)

People gathered in St. Peter's Square, watching the chimney of the Sistine Chapel for smoke signals as the cardinals met in conclave to elect a new pope at the Vatican. (Image: AP)

A giant screen in St. Peter's Basilica displayed a Vatican official closing the door of the Sistine Chapel after proclaiming "extra omnes, Latin for "all out", marking the start of the cardinals' conclave to elect a new pope. (Image: AP)

Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, the Vatican’s Master of Ceremonies, closed the doors of the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave to elect the successor to the late Pope Francis. (Image: AP)

Black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel indicating that a new pope had not been elected. (Image: AP)

Nuns cheered as black smoke came out of the chimney of Sistine Chapel signalling that no new pope has been elected. (Image: AP)

On the first day of the conclave to elect the 267th pope, activists from the Women's Ordination Conference released pink smoke in Rome, calling for full equality for women in the Catholic Church. (Image: AP)