VATICAN CITY — Black smoke billowed from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, a clear sign that the first round of voting in the papal conclave did not result in the election of a new pope.
In a solemn ceremony steeped in tradition, 133 cardinal electors gathered at the Vatican to begin the critical process of selecting the 267th leader of the Catholic Church. This conclave follows the death of Pope Francis, who passed away last month at the age of 88 after battling health complications, including cardiac arrest.
The day began with a poignant mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who also presided over the conclave that elected Francis in 2013. Following the service, the cardinal electors made their way to the Pauline Chapel before processing into the Sistine Chapel, the historic venue where the conclave is held.
Sealed off from the outside world, the Sistine Chapel is adorned with Michelangelo’s breathtaking frescoes, providing a fitting backdrop for this pivotal moment in the Church’s history. The conclave will remain secluded until a new pope is chosen, with a two-thirds majority required for election.
This conclave continues a tradition that dates back to 1492, marking the beginning of papal elections within the Sistine Chapel—the same year Christopher Columbus set sail for the Americas. While some papal elections in history have extended for years, more recent conclaves have been notably swift. In 2013, for instance, it took just five ballots over two days to elect Pope Francis.
As the Church awaits its next leader, the conclave will reconvene for further voting on Thursday. Should a new pope emerge, white smoke will signal the decision, and the cardinal protodeacon will announce “habemus papam” (Latin for “we have a pope”) from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, marking a momentous occasion for Catholics worldwide.
