The first day of the papal conclave ended without a decision, as black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, signaling that the cardinals have not yet agreed on a new Pope to succeed the late Pope Francis.
The 133 cardinal electors, gathered in strict secrecy within Vatican City, cast their initial ballots but failed to reach the required two-thirds majority needed to elect the next pontiff. Following the vote, they returned to the Santa Marta residence, where they will remain in seclusion until the conclave resumes on Thursday.
Historically, recent papal elections have concluded swiftly. Pope Benedict XVI was elected in 2005 after four rounds of voting on the second day, while Pope Francis was chosen in 2013 after five rounds, also on the second day. Earlier elections, such as that of Pope John Paul II in 1978, took longer—he was elected on the third day in the eighth round of voting.
The current conclave follows the death of Pope Francis last month, triggering the centuries-old tradition of electing a new spiritual leader for the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics. Ballots are burned after each voting session; black smoke denotes no consensus, while white smoke signals that a new pope has been chosen.
“The secrecy is essential,” said Rev. Sam Sawyer, a Jesuit priest and editor-in-chief of America Media, speaking to CNN. “It allows the cardinals the freedom to vote within their conscience, free from external pressures.”
While today the conclave is seen as a sacred space for honest discernment and spiritual guidance, its secretive nature also served historically to shield the process from political interference and external influence.
As anticipation grows around the world, eyes remain fixed on the Sistine Chapel chimney—waiting for the moment when white smoke rises, heralding the election of a new leader for the Catholic Church.
