The conclave to elect a new pope is ongoing, with the latest voting resulting in black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney. Cardinal electors are expected to reconvene for further ballots, as anticipation builds among thousands waiting for news in St. Peter’s Square.
Black Smoke Signals Continued Waiting for a New Pope as Conclave Resumes
Black Smoke Signals Continued Waiting for a New Pope as Conclave Resumes
As cardinals continue their deliberations within the Vatican, the absence of white smoke signifies that a decision on the next pope remains elusive.
Black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday morning, signaling that the cardinals convened to select a new pope had yet to reach a consensus on their second day of deliberation. The crowd in St. Peter's Square responded with a mixture of gasps and disappointment as the news became apparent that no candidate had gained the necessary two-thirds majority. With Pope Francis's death leading to this conclave, the cardinals began voting on Wednesday but encountered a lengthy deliberation process fraught with diverse and conflicting ideologies.
In total, 133 voting cardinals are participating, cast into a notable paradox of both significant tradition and modern uncertainty due to the various newly appointed members likely unfamiliar with one another's approaches and politics. Onlookers in the square have assembled, braving the elements, eager for a glimpse of white smoke — the signal that a pope has been chosen.
The conclave is characterized by extended secrecy, with no outside communication allowed. Cardinals are encouraged to vote for a successor who reflects their vision for the church, set against the competing ideologies established by Pope Francis's inclusive and progressive policies. As such, the word on everyone's lips remains "unity," strategically positioned by conservatives who view it as a call to revert to traditional values, contradicting the liberal fractions of the Church eager to preserve the themes of inclusivity championed by the late pope.
The next series of voting rounds is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, and while some hope for swift resolutions similar to past conclaves which resulted in pope elections within days, others are bracing for a protracted wait amid the cardinal's delicate balancing of newfound alliances and ideological factions. Crowds, while less populous than on the previous day, reflect the global interest in this pivotal moment for the Catholic Church, emphasizing how the selection of a new pope can resonate with over a billion faithful worldwide.
In a twist, some attendees have even taken to food preparations for what they anticipate could be a drawn-out conclave, with provisions being stashed for long waits. With no defined timeline for a decision, the anxiety within the conclave and the throngs of people outside continues to mount, highlighting the age-old ritual of papal selection woven into the fabric of modern religious leadership.
