Black smoke on first vote. But what happens after a pope is elected?

07/05/2025 43 min
Black smoke on first vote. But what happens after a pope is elected?

Listen "Black smoke on first vote. But what happens after a pope is elected?"

Episode Synopsis

Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the conclave to elect the next pope. 

In today’s episode from Rome, the team discusses:



The protocols being followed by the cardinals in conclave




The “habemus papam” moment, what the pope wears and other telling symbolic gestures 




What happens in the days immediately following the election of a pope?




This episode features:



Sam Sawyer, S.J., America’s editor in chief




Colleen Dulle, co-host of America’s “Inside the Vatican” podcast




David Gibson, director of Fordham University’s Center for Religion and Culture




Sign up for America’s subscriber-exclusive “Conclave Diary” daily newsletter and get all of our extensive coverage at: AmericaMagazine.org/Subscribe

Links from the show: 



Cardinal Re’s pre-conclave homily: ‘Love is the only force capable of changing the world.’




Conclave: Everything you need to know about electing a new pope




What time will we see black or white smoke? Past conclaves give clues.





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