Black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday evening, indicating that Catholic cardinals had failed to elect a new pope on the first day of the closely watched conclave.
A total of 133 cardinals from 70 countries gathered at the Vatican to begin the centuries-old ritual of choosing the 267th pontiff, following the death of Pope Francis last month, Mail Online reports.
The black smoke indicated that no candidate secured the required two-thirds majority, meaning voting will resume Thursday morning.
The cardinals have now retired for the night. Up to four ballots can be cast each day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, until white smoke announces the election of a new pope.
It was widely expected that a decision would not be reached on the first day. Historical precedent shows that papal elections can span days or even years.
The longest conclave, which elected Pope Gregory X, lasted nearly three years, while the shortest, electing Pope Julius II in 1503, took just 10 hours.
In more recent times, the process typically concludes within two to three days.
Among those participating are three British cardinals, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, and Cardinal Arthur Roche, who is based in Rome.
Speaking ahead of the conclave, Cardinal Nichols urged the faithful to pray for the electors, admitting he felt “quite intimidated” knowing the world was watching.
Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. They have been urged to “invoke the help of the Holy Spirit” in electing a pope “whom the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history.”
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, 67, is widely viewed as a frontrunner. Should he be elected, he would become the first Asian pope.
Other prominent contenders include Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, as well as Cardinals Matteo Zuppi, Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Peter Erdo, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Peter Turkson, Jean-Marc Aveline, and Anders Arborelius.
On Wednesday, advocates for women’s ordination sent pink smoke over the Vatican, demanding a greater role for women in the Church.
The cardinals face significant challenges, not least whether to continue Pope Francis’ progressive agenda on issues like LGBTQ+ acceptance, environmental protection, and migrant rights, or to pivot toward a more conservative path to unify a Church that has grown increasingly polarised.
The clergy s*xual abuse scandal also looms large.
With Pope Francis having appointed 80% of the current electors, continuity appears likely, though how it will manifest remains uncertain.
