Basically, no. If you’re looking for a white plume of smoke over the Sistine Chapel today, January 17, 2026, you can stop refreshing your feed. A new pope was not elected today. Honestly, the confusion is kind of understandable. We’ve had a whirlwind couple of years in the Vatican. People are still getting used to the name Pope Leo XIV. He’s the guy in the white cassock now, and he’s been there for a while. The "new" pope isn't new as of today; he's been on the job since May 2025.
I get why the question pops up, though. The Catholic Church isn't exactly known for moving at the speed of light, but the transition from Pope Francis to Leo XIV felt like a massive jolt to the system.
The Reality of the Current Papacy
Right now, the Holy See is firmly under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. If that name sounds a bit different to you, it should. He’s the first-ever American to hold the office. Born in Chicago, raised in the suburbs, and a long-time missionary in Peru.
He didn't just walk into the job this morning. He was elected back on May 8, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis in April of that year.
✨ Don't miss: Melissa Calhoun Satellite High Teacher Dismissal: What Really Happened
Since it’s early 2026, Leo XIV is just now really hitting his stride. We’re past the "honeymoon" phase where he was just finishing up Francis’s old projects. Now, he’s doing his own thing. Just this month, he held a huge meeting—an extraordinary consistory—with cardinals from all over the world to talk about where the Church is heading next. It’s not an election; it’s more like a corporate strategy meeting, but with more incense and Latin.
Why People Think an Election is Happening
Why does everyone keep asking if a new pope was elected today? There are a few reasons why the rumor mill stays so active:
- The 2025 Jubilee hangover: We just finished the "Jubilee of Hope," which brought millions of people to Rome. When that many people gather, news cycles get weird and old stories start circulating as new.
- The "First American" Factor: Because Leo XIV is from the U.S., American news outlets are covering the Vatican way more than they used to. Every time he has a minor cold or closes a Holy Door, it hits the breaking news cycle.
- Social Media Lag: Honestly, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) are terrible for this. Someone shares a video of the 2025 white smoke today, it goes viral, and suddenly everyone thinks we're back in a conclave.
What Actually Happened at the Vatican Today?
If you look at the official Bollettino (the Vatican’s daily press log) for January 17, 2026, it’s pretty standard stuff. No secret votes. No locked doors.
🔗 Read more: Wisconsin Judicial Elections 2025: Why This Race Broke Every Record
Today is actually focused on the usual liturgical calendar. Pope Leo XIV is likely prepping for his upcoming travels or meeting with various heads of state. The "big" news recently was the sealing of the Holy Doors at the major basilicas, which officially wrapped up the Jubilee year. That happened just yesterday, January 16. It’s a symbolic end to a massive event, but it doesn't mean the papacy is vacant.
How the Process Actually Works (When it Happens)
When a pope actually gets elected, it’s a whole ordeal. It’s not a surprise Tuesday event. You’d know weeks in advance because the "Sede Vacante" (the period of the vacant seat) would be all over the news.
- The Vacancy: It starts with a death or a resignation (like Benedict XVI did).
- The Conclave: Cardinals under 80 years old lock themselves in the Sistine Chapel. They literally turn the key—that’s what "conclave" means.
- The Voting: They vote four times a day. Two in the morning, two in the afternoon.
- The Smoke: If no one gets a two-thirds majority, they burn the ballots with a chemical that makes black smoke. When they finally agree on a guy, they use a different chemical for white smoke.
Since we saw white smoke back in May 2025 for Leo XIV, we won't see it again until his pontificate ends.
💡 You might also like: Casey Ramirez: The Small Town Benefactor Who Smuggled 400 Pounds of Cocaine
What to Watch for in 2026
Instead of looking for a new election, you should be looking at what Leo XIV is actually doing. He’s a "dark horse" who surprised the Vatican insiders.
He’s expected to release a major document (an encyclical) on Artificial Intelligence later this year. Coming from an Augustinian background, he’s really into the idea of how technology affects human dignity. He’s also looking at restructuring how the Vatican's money is handled—a headache that every pope inherits but few actually fix.
So, if you hear someone say "was a new pope elected today?" you can confidently tell them they're about eight months late to the party.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Source: If you see a "Breaking News" alert about a new pope, check the Vatican Press Office. If it’s not there, it’s not real.
- Look for the Name: If the article doesn't mention Leo XIV, it’s likely an old archived story from the 2025 or 2013 elections.
- Follow the Liturgy: The Vatican follows a very strict schedule. Big changes usually happen around major feast days, not random Saturdays in January.