Black smoke rose once again from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, indicating that the College of Cardinals has not yet reached the required two-thirds majority to elect a new pope and successor to Pope Francis.
The Catholic News Agency (CNA), which confirmed the development, reported that the assembled crowd in St Peter’s Square let out a collective sigh of disappointment as the dark smoke appeared, signifying that the first round of voting ended inconclusively.
On Wednesday evening, pilgrims who had gathered under the fading Roman sky also witnessed a similar scene—black smoke emerging from the chimney, signalling the end of the first day of voting without a new pontiff.
The conclave, which aims to elect the 266th successor to St Peter and the 267th leader of the Catholic Church, continues behind closed doors, steeped in tradition and secrecy.
Also Read: Vatican Sets 7 May for Conclave to Elect New Pope
According to CNA, several experienced cardinals are playing key roles in the process, including Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Cardinal Vinko Puljić, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, Cardinal Péter Erdő, and Cardinal Peter Turkson. Notably, Cardinals Turkson, Barbarin, Erdő, and Bozanić, all elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2003, have participated in two previous conclaves.
From Thursday onwards, the cardinals are expected to hold four ballots daily—two in the morning and two in the afternoon. After each round, smoke will emerge from the chapel’s chimney: black to indicate no decision, or white to herald the election of a new pope.
The world now watches and waits as the Church moves forward in its search for the next spiritual leader of over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.
