Indian Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad of the Syro-Malabar Church, official of the Secretariat of State and organizer of papal trips, was created a cardinal by Pope Francis during the consistory at St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 7, 2024. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

Vatican City, May 8, 2025 / 11:50 am (CNA).

As the most junior member of the College of Cardinals, Koovakad is tasked with drawing out the names of three cardinal scrutineers, infirmarii, and revisers.

Black smoke billows from the chimney at 11:53 a.m. local time over St. Peter’s Square on May 8, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

Vatican City, May 8, 2025 / 10:20 am (CNA).

Where does the smoke come from and how are the two colors — black and white — produced?

Cardinals process to the Sistine Chapel as the conclave to elect the 266th successor to St. Peter, the 267th pope, begins on May 7, 2025. / Vatican Media

Vatican City, May 8, 2025 / 10:00 am (CNA).

The recent history of the Catholic Church shows that the secrecy eventually breaks.

Reference photo of two chefs. / Credit: Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock

Vatican City, May 8, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).

Nutritionist Giorgio Calabrese, an Italian doctor who specializes in nutritional science, prepared the menu for the cardinal electors who have kicked off the conclave.

Black smoke billows from the chimney at 11:53 am local time over St. Peter’s square on May 8, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican City, May 8, 2025 / 05:51 am (CNA).

The plume of dark smoke indicates that the 133 cardinal electors sequestered inside the chapel have not reached the required two-thirds majority.

Left to right: Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Cardinal Vinko Puljić, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, Cardinal Péter Erdő, and Cardinal Peter Turkson. / Credit: MEDEF, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons/ EWTN News screenshot/ Pelz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons/ Daniel Ibañez/CNA

Vatican City, May 7, 2025 / 16:29 pm (CNA).

Four electors — Cardinals Peter Turkson, Philippe Barbarin, Péter Erdő, and Josip Bozanić — became members of the College of Cardinals in 2003.

Cardinals prepare to begin the conclave to elect a new pope in the Sistine Chapel on May 7, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican City, May 7, 2025 / 15:44 pm (CNA).

Beginning Thursday, the cardinals will hold four votes each day: two in the morning and two in the afternoon.

Black smoke issues from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that no pope has yet been elected, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Vatican City, May 7, 2025 / 15:09 pm (CNA).

The black smoke confirmed the 133 cardinal electors sequestered inside had not reached the required two-thirds majority — at least 89 votes — needed to elect a new pope.

Vestments rest in the Room of Tears at the Sistine Chapel ahead of the conclave to elect the next pope, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican City, May 7, 2025 / 13:30 pm (CNA).

Here is a list of the garments you may see the new pope wearing once he steps out onto the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the people.

Vestments rest in the Room of Tears at the Sistine Chapel ahead of the conclave to elect the next pope, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

CNA Staff, May 7, 2025 / 13:00 pm (CNA).

The Room of Tears is just a few feet away from the Sistine Chapel, where the monumental decision of the papal election is made by Catholic cardinals.

Cardinals process into the Sistine Chapel as the conclave to elect the 266th successor to St. Peter, the 267th pope, begins on May 7, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican City, May 7, 2025 / 11:55 am (CNA).

Inside the Sistine Chapel, each cardinal elector stood before his assigned seat, facing the Book of the Gospels, placed on a lectern in the center of the room.

Pilgrims gather in St. Peter’s Square for a Mass and canonization of 14 new saints on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Vatican City, May 7, 2025 / 11:19 am (CNA).

Aid to the Church in Need’s jubilee event, which focuses on the hope they seek to provide the suffering Church, falls on first day of the papal conclave.