VATICAN CITY: On Thursday, black smoke poured from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that the cardinals sequestered in conclave have yet to reach a decision on the new pope for the Roman Catholic Church.
Thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, eagerly watching for the smoke to emerge from the chapel’s chimney. It appeared just before noon local time, signaling the end of the morning’s voting sessions, during which two ballots were held.
A total of 133 cardinals under 80 years old initiated the ceremonial and confidential voting process on Wednesday, isolated from the outside world as they deliberated on the successor to the late Pope Francis.
To communicate the outcome of their votes, the cardinals burn their ballots mixed with chemicals. Black smoke signifies that no pope has been selected, while white smoke will announce a new leader.
The first, inconclusive vote took place on Wednesday evening. The cardinals plan to conduct up to two additional votes on Thursday afternoon, with the next smoke signal anticipated after 5:30 PM local time.
The cardinals, often referred to as the "princes of the Church," are permitted to vote up to four times each day until someone secures a two-thirds majority.
"Francis was an outstanding leader—down to earth and humble. I hope they select someone with similar qualities," shared Tom Barbitta, a visitor from North Carolina, who came to St. Peter’s Square with his wife, Susan, to witness the smoke.
Historically, no pope has been elected on the first voting attempt in modern history, making Wednesday’s black smoke a predictable outcome. However, given the recent patterns, a decision may still be possible by the conclusion of the second day.
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, was elected on the evening of the second day of the 2013 conclave, as was his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, in 2005.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who at 91 is not participating in the conclave, expressed his hope that a new pope would be chosen by Thursday evening.
Geographic Diversity
This conclave features a record 133 cardinals from 70 different countries, an increase from 115 cardinals from 48 nations in the last conclave. This growth reflects Pope Francis’s efforts to expand the Church’s global presence.
While there is no clear front-runner, Cardinal Pietro Parolin from Italy and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines are often mentioned as key candidates.
If it becomes clear that neither is likely to secure enough support, votes may start shifting to other candidates based on various factors such as geographic origin, shared doctrines, or common languages.
Other notable candidates known as "papabili" include Jean-Marc Aveline from France, Peter Erdo from Hungary, Robert Prevost from the U.S., Pierbattista Pizzaballa from Italy, and Pablo Virgilio David from the Philippines.
During the conclave, the cardinals are kept in complete isolation, sworn to secrecy, with their phones and computers confiscated. They travel between the Sistine Chapel for voting and Vatican guesthouses for rest and meals.
Before the conclave began, various cardinals shared their perspectives on the qualities they desire in the next pope. Pope Francis’s relatively progressive papacy has highlighted the deep rifts between traditionalists and reformists.
Some cardinals advocate for continuity with his approach to openness and reform, while others long for a return to earlier traditions. Many have expressed a desire for a more stable and predictable papacy.
