The new pope, Leo XIV (Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost), was elected on 8 May 2025, on the second day of the conclave.

Quick Scoop: When was the new pope elected?

Here’s the core timeline in simple terms:

  • Pope Francis died on 21 April 2025, which triggered the need for a conclave.
  • The conclave of cardinal electors began on 7 May 2025 in the Sistine Chapel.
  • On 8 May 2025, after the fourth ballot, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected pope.
  • He chose the papal name Leo XIV and became the 267th pope and the first US‑born pontiff.
  • White smoke appeared from the Sistine Chapel chimney at about 18:07 CEST, signaling to the world that a new pope had been chosen.

Why this date matters now

  • The election on 8 May 2025 marked a historic moment: the first American pope, from Chicago, now leading the Catholic Church.
  • Since his election, news and commentary have focused on what Pope Leo XIV’s background and priorities might mean for issues like peace, unity, and global diplomacy.

In forum and social discussions, when people ask “when was the new pope elected?”, they’re almost always referring to this 8 May 2025 conclave result and the beginning of Leo XIV’s pontificate.

TL;DR: The “new pope” (Leo XIV) was elected on 8 May 2025, during the fourth ballot of the conclave.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.