Black smoke emerged from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel today, signaling that cardinals gathered for a papal conclave have not yet elected a nuevo papa. This outcome followed two rounds of voting held on the second day of deliberations.
The dark smoke was visible at 11:51 AM local time. Crowds assembled in St. Peter's Square observed the event, with many recording the moment on mobile phones.
The Conclave comprises 133 cardinal electors tasked with choosing the successor to St. Peter. The black smoke confirms that no candidate secured the necessary majority of votes in the ballots cast this morning.
Cardinals began their day with morning prayers in the Capilla Paulina and later in the Capilla Sixtina before proceeding with the voting process.
Following the morning's votes, cardinals were scheduled to have lunch at the Santa Marta residence. Their return to the Palacio Apostólico was planned for the afternoon to conduct additional voting sessions in the Sixtina.
The current period of sede vacante, the term for the vacancy of the Holy See, continues. The Conclave will persist until white smoke indicates that a new pontiff has been chosen by the cardinal electors. Read more about the conclave process here.
