On May 8, 2025, the ongoing papal conclave saw black smoke emerging from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that cardinals have yet to reach a consensus on selecting a new pope. Following a three-hour voting session that commenced Wednesday evening, hopes for a quick resolution were dashed as the 133 cardinals, voting in secrecy, were unable to form a two-thirds majority.
Live Coverage: Conclave Day Two – Black Smoke Indicates No Decision Yet
Live Coverage: Conclave Day Two – Black Smoke Indicates No Decision Yet
Tensions rise as cardinals reconvene for another voting session in search of a new pope after inconclusive results.
The crowd in St. Peter’s Square reacted with disappointment as they gathered on Thursday morning, anxiously awaiting news of any progress. At noon, the black smoke signified yet another failure to elect a pope, suggesting the conclave would continue into the afternoon with further voting rounds planned.
Pope Francis’ death last month has led to this significant conclave, the first in over a decade, where the cardinals face challenges navigating newfound ideologies within the church. This conclave marks an unprecedented assembly of cardinals, with many appointed by the late pope encountering one another for the first time.
The voting procedures are highly structured, with the cardinals participating in multiple ballots daily until a new pope emerges. For this conclave, distinguished by its size and diversity, considerable intrigue surrounds the potential dynamics among cardinals who may have differing agendas.
With past conclaves settling on candidates within days, some speculate that this conclave could extend longer due to the complexity of ingrained political divisions. The status quo of leadership in the Catholic Church and the future direction of its policies are at stake, as the ongoing selection process evolves.
A clearer picture of the situation will emerge as the cardinals gather for another round of voting, with public hope swelling for the coming hours that a new leader may soon grace the Vatican.
As the atmosphere thickens with anticipation, the cardinals' oath of secrecy, rooted established traditions, keeps the inner workings opaque while the world waits for decisive white smoke to signal the electing of the new pontiff.
Pope Francis’ death last month has led to this significant conclave, the first in over a decade, where the cardinals face challenges navigating newfound ideologies within the church. This conclave marks an unprecedented assembly of cardinals, with many appointed by the late pope encountering one another for the first time.
The voting procedures are highly structured, with the cardinals participating in multiple ballots daily until a new pope emerges. For this conclave, distinguished by its size and diversity, considerable intrigue surrounds the potential dynamics among cardinals who may have differing agendas.
With past conclaves settling on candidates within days, some speculate that this conclave could extend longer due to the complexity of ingrained political divisions. The status quo of leadership in the Catholic Church and the future direction of its policies are at stake, as the ongoing selection process evolves.
A clearer picture of the situation will emerge as the cardinals gather for another round of voting, with public hope swelling for the coming hours that a new leader may soon grace the Vatican.
As the atmosphere thickens with anticipation, the cardinals' oath of secrecy, rooted established traditions, keeps the inner workings opaque while the world waits for decisive white smoke to signal the electing of the new pontiff.
