As the clock struck 9:00 PM local time (7:00 PM GMT), black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the end of the first day of the conclave without a consensus among the cardinals to elect a new Pope. This was the anticipated visual confirmation of what many feared: the required two-thirds majority (89 votes out of 133 voting cardinals) to announce a new Pontiff was not achieved. The initial vote of the conclave, which formally commenced that Wednesday following the traditional "Extra Omnes" — "Everyone Out" — declared by the Vatican's Master of Ceremonies, Monsignor Diego Ravelli, at 5:46 PM, ended without resolution.
From early afternoon, global attention was fixated on the Vatican chimney. In St. Peter's Square, over 30,000 individuals, according to police estimates, gathered in anticipation, waiting for the smoke signal amidst an atmosphere of reverence, prayer, and expectation. An unexpected observer, a seagull perched on the Sistine Chapel's roof, became a viral symbol of the moment.
Prior to the voting process, the cardinals took an oath to uphold the utmost secrecy regarding all matters related to the election, adhering to the conclave's strict protocols. This Thursday, the cardinals will reconvene at 9:00 AM local time to continue the voting process. Two voting rounds are scheduled for the morning and two more in the afternoon. If no consensus is reached in the initial rounds of each session, new smoke signals are expected around midday (12:00 PM local, 10:00 AM GMT) and at dusk (7:00 PM local, 5:00 PM GMT). An early smoke signal would indicate that the necessary majority has been secured and a new Pope has been elected.
The Catholic world remains attentive as the Church faces one of its most significant decisions in recent history: choosing the new spiritual leader for over 1.3 billion followers.
Key Questions About the Vatican Conclave
What does black smoke from the Sistine Chapel signify?
Black smoke indicates that the cardinals have not reached a consensus on electing a new Pope, as no candidate has received the necessary two-thirds majority vote.
How many votes are needed to elect a new Pope?
A two-thirds majority, which means 89 out of 133 voting cardinals, is required to elect a new Pope.
When will the next rounds of voting take place?
The next rounds of voting are scheduled for Thursday, with two sessions in the morning and two in the afternoon.