Black smoke billowed from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, marking a second day of inconclusive voting among the cardinals tasked with selecting a new pope following the death of Pope Francis last month. The congregation of 133 cardinals will reconvene this afternoon, with two more rounds of voting anticipated unless a pope is chosen in the first ballot after their lunch break.
Crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square reacted with a mixture of sighs and groans upon seeing the black smoke, which confirmed that no candidate had garnered the necessary two-thirds majority during the morning’s votes. Earlier, the first round of voting on Wednesday night resulted in a similar outcome, prolonging the decision-making process that is one of the most venerable traditions in the Roman Catholic Church.
In anticipation of the conclusion to the election, some speculate that this conclave may prove to be a longer process than usual. Many cardinals have been appointed by Francis in recent years and are not well-acquainted with one another, creating an unfamiliar dynamic as they navigate ideologies that have divided the church. The looming decision will potentially reflect either a continuation of Francis’s progressive direction or a shift towards conservatism, as competitive factions within the College of Cardinals vie for influence over future papal initiatives.
The conclave’s secretive process allows for four voting rounds daily until a consensus is established. Black smoke continuously signals there is no decision yet, while white smoke will indicate the election of the new pontiff. Historical precedents for the conclave indicate that selections can be quick, as was the case when Francis was elected in just two days; however, some past elections have dragged on for extended periods, demonstrating the unpredictability of this sacred ceremony. As the cardinals prepare for their subsequent votes, the world remains on alert for the announcement of a new leader.
Crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square reacted with a mixture of sighs and groans upon seeing the black smoke, which confirmed that no candidate had garnered the necessary two-thirds majority during the morning’s votes. Earlier, the first round of voting on Wednesday night resulted in a similar outcome, prolonging the decision-making process that is one of the most venerable traditions in the Roman Catholic Church.
In anticipation of the conclusion to the election, some speculate that this conclave may prove to be a longer process than usual. Many cardinals have been appointed by Francis in recent years and are not well-acquainted with one another, creating an unfamiliar dynamic as they navigate ideologies that have divided the church. The looming decision will potentially reflect either a continuation of Francis’s progressive direction or a shift towards conservatism, as competitive factions within the College of Cardinals vie for influence over future papal initiatives.
The conclave’s secretive process allows for four voting rounds daily until a consensus is established. Black smoke continuously signals there is no decision yet, while white smoke will indicate the election of the new pontiff. Historical precedents for the conclave indicate that selections can be quick, as was the case when Francis was elected in just two days; however, some past elections have dragged on for extended periods, demonstrating the unpredictability of this sacred ceremony. As the cardinals prepare for their subsequent votes, the world remains on alert for the announcement of a new leader.
