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The Empire State Building will shine gold and white tonight to honor the first American Pope

The Vatican uses white smoke, we light the Empire State Building

Shaye Weaver
Written by
Shaye Weaver
Editor, Time Out New York
the Empire State Building lit in gold and white
Photograph: courtesy the Empire State Building
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We have a new pope!

Tonight, Thursday, May 8, New York City’s Empire State Building is meeting the Vatican’s white smoke with shiny lights to celebrate the first American pontiff, Pope Leo XIV.

RECOMMENDED: What is a conclave and how is a new pope decided? 

Make sure to look to the midtown sky as the sun begins to set to see the gold and white lights for yourself.

Pope Leo XIV—formerly known as the Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost, who has spent time living in Peruwas elected after a two-day papal conclave and is expected to be a more progressive leader, according to The New York Times, as he shares the goals of his predecessor, Pope Francis, to serve migrants and the poor.

The tower’s lights change nearly every night to honor holidays, special occasions and special causes like this one. Thanks to a state-of-the-art LED system, the lights glow in a dazzling palette of 16 million colors with limitless combinations. 

Check the lighting calendar to find out what the colors signify every day or text CONNECT to 274-16 for real-time updates. Want to watch a show? Go see it in person or search “Empire State Building Light Shows” on YouTube and prepare to be amazed.

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