The first day of voting in the conclave to elect a new pope concluded on Wednesday with no result, as black smoke rose from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signaling that no candidate had secured the required two-thirds majority.
At around 9 p.m. local time, the dark smoke drew a wave of reaction from the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, confirming that the 133 cardinal electors had not yet agreed on a successor to Pope Francis.
The day began with the “Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff” at St. Peter’s Basilica, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, officially launching the conclave proceedings.
In the days leading up to the vote, the cardinals held 12 general congregations, where they examined pressing challenges facing the Church. Among the concerns were global conflicts, clerical sexual abuse, dwindling vocations, financial transparency at the Vatican, evangelization, and how best to implement synodality.
Voting will resume in the coming days until a new leader of the Catholic Church is chosen.
