A second day of voting in the papal conclave began Thursday morning without a breakthrough, as black smoke once again billowed from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, indicating that no new pope has been elected.
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The first round of ballots on Wednesday ended similarly, with the traditional black smoke, announcing that none of the 133 cardinal-electors had secured the two-thirds majority required to succeed Pope Francis, who died on April 21
By Thursday, the cardinals had reconvened in the Sistine Chapel to cast a fresh round of votes. Despite hopes of a resolution, the deadlock persists, and Vatican observers anticipate at least one or two more rounds of balloting before a decision is reached.
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The process will continue in this solemn and secretive setting until white smoke rises from the chapel chimney, signalling the election of a new pope. Traditionally, this moment is also marked by the ringing of the bells of St Peter’s Basilica, drawing thousands to St Peter’s Square in anticipation of the first appearance of the new pontiff.
Until then, the Catholic Church, with its more than one billion faithful worldwide, waits as the cardinals deliberate on who will become the next Bishop of Rome.
