No New Pope Elected Yet After Black Smoke Pours Out Of Sistine Chapel’s Chimney

Cardinals in Vatican City were unsuccessful in selecting a new Pope on Thursday morning, as black smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel chimney following two inconclusive rounds of conclave voting. With no candidate securing the required two-thirds majority of 89 votes, the world will have to wait longer for a new leader of the Catholic Church. The 133 cardinals paused for lunch before resuming the voting session in the afternoon, where two more ballots were possible.

Despite the setback, there was optimism that a Pope could be elected swiftly, potentially as early as the fourth or fifth ballot on Thursday afternoon. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re expressed hopes of seeing white smoke by evening, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right leader for the Church and the world.

The public’s anticipation for the outcome was evident, with onlookers closely monitoring the Sistine Chapel’s chimney for any signs of smoke. The atmosphere in St. Peter’s Square was a mix of school groups, pilgrims, and journalists eagerly awaiting news of the papal election. People expressed varying opinions on the qualities they hoped the next Pope would possess, with some praising Pope Francis’ efforts in opening the Church to the world, while others had specific preferences for the next pontiff.

The first ballot on Wednesday night resulted in black smoke after several hours of deliberation, prompting speculation about the reasons for the delay. The voting process, steeped in tradition and secrecy, involves meticulous rituals and structured voting procedures to ensure a fair and transparent election. The cardinals undertake a solemn process of selecting the next Supreme Pontiff, with each vote carefully recorded and preserved for historical records.

As the cardinals continue their deliberations, the world remains attentive to the Vatican, awaiting the announcement of the next Pope who will lead the Catholic Church.