No New Pope Yet as Vatican Conclave Continues with More Black Smoke

On Thursday morning, black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney for the second day amid indecisive voting in the secretive conclave to determine Pope Francis' successor.

The smoke rose around 2:50 a.m. California time (11:50 a.m. Rome) after the 133 eligible cardinals failed to reach the two-thirds majority (89 votes) needed to elect a new pope. After their second and third conclave votes, the cardinals had lunch in their Vatican exile. Thursday afternoon, we will see two additional voting rounds.

Despite the disagreement, many hope a decision will come tonight.

The Vatican's smoke signals have again drawn global media interest, with cameras trained on the Sistine Chapel's small chimney for the moment white smoke marks the new Pope's election.

Large school groups, pilgrims, tourists, and reporters watched history in St. Peter's Square. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old College of Cardinals dean, presided over the pre-conclave Mass but cannot vote. In Pompeii, he said, “We are hoping for the white smoke tonight.”

Argentine finance student Pedro Deget, 22, shared similar ambitions. "Francis opened the church to the world," he added, "but maybe he didn't do enough elsewhere. The next conclave may be able to accomplish more. The ceremony began with a traditional and solemn ritual on Wednesday afternoon. After the cardinals' first vote, black smoke appeared again at 9 p.m. local time, raising concerns about delays or procedural issues.

The Vatican has not commented on the nighttime session's length, but observers speculated that the vote was redone, someone fell unwell, or translation or meditation length played a factor.

They probably need more time,” said Costanza Ranaldi, 63, who traveled from Pescara to witness the historic event. Although many cardinals predicted a quick conclave, experts warn that such choices sometimes need multiple rounds of voting.

This is supported by history. John Paul I was elected Pope after four ballots in 1978, John Paul II after eight. Pope Francis was elected on the fifth ballot in 2013.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, Francis's secretary of state, is a contender. Cardinal Re said “Auguri doppio,” or “double best wishes,” on a hot mic during the pre-conclave Mass, which some saw as a tacit support of Parolin. Some saw the comment as a kind acknowledgment of Parolin's dual job or a sign of support.

Size and diversity distinguish this conclave. Pope Francis appointed 108 of the 133 voting cardinals, many from Mongolia, Sweden, and Tonga, exceeding the 120 maximum. Growth has complicated vote processing and unifying more opinions.

As the conclave proceeds, the world awaits a plume of white smoke and the 267th pope's name.

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