US EditionWait for Vatican white smoke fires up social media
- On May 7, 133 cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to begin electing the Catholic Church's 267th pope following Pope Francis' death on April 21, 2025.
- This conclave follows long-established rules and traditions emphasizing secrecy and ceremony, while the Vatican’s recent digital communications have increased public interest and engagement, especially among young people.
- Social media activity has surged with cardinals like Timothy Dolan posting daily videos, and more than 1.3 million tweets and over 363 million TikTok views reflecting widespread fascination amid a backdrop of pop culture references and online games like Fantapapa.
- Digital strategist Stephanie Laporte emphasized that young people are keenly aware of the pope’s extensive global influence, while researcher Refka Payssan pointed out that the conclave’s blend of mystery and ceremony naturally fits the storytelling style favored on social media, sparking widespread interest in witnessing history as it happens.
- The conclave’s secrecy remains strictly enforced under threat of excommunication, yet the heightened digital presence of cardinals indicates a shift toward greater transparency and engagement, suggesting future popes may expand their media use to connect with the global faithful.
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The white smoke in the Vatican seems like an ancient tradition, but how long has it actually been around – and for how much longer?
What do we actually see? In this section we look at striking images in contemporary culture, and what they have to say. This week: white smoke, black smoke at the conclave.
·Netherlands
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ABC FOX Montana+28 Reposted by 28 other sources
Wait for Vatican white smoke fires up social media
Hype has been building on social media around the Catholic Church's secretive, centuries-old tradition of conclaves to elect a new pope, animating users from the White House on down.
·Missoula, United States
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Sydney Morning HeraldReposted by 
The Age
The AgeHow George Pell could shape the outcome of the papal conclave – from beyond the grave
In the final months of his life, Cardinal George Pell was quietly working on what he felt was his last great mission – to save the soul of the Catholic Church.
·Sydney, Australia
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Total News Sources45
Leaning Left11Leaning Right7Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Left
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Left
46% Left
L 46%
C 25%
R 29%
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