As dusk fell on May 7, 2025, the anticipation in Vatican City was palpable. Inside the famed Sistine Chapel, 133 cardinals had begun the sacred practice of selecting the new pope. With cellphones prohibited and the atmosphere thick with solemnity, these cardinal electors cast their votes, each carefully concealing their handwriting on the ballots.
The congregation gathered in St. Peter's Square was a mix of the devout, curious onlookers, and tourists, all keen to witness the historical moment. The signal they awaited was simple but profound: the color of the smoke rising from the chimney installed on the chapel’s roof.
As the clock struck 9 p.m., a plume of black smoke emerged, a clear indication that no new pope had been appointed after the first round of voting. This moment was tinged with disappointment for many, who had hoped for a swift conclusion to the papal succession process, a feat that hadn't been achieved for centuries.
"We are cold, we’re hungry, we’re thirsty but yet we can’t move," remarked Rev. Peter Mangum from Monroe, Louisiana. Stalwartly, he and his fellow priests braved the chill of the evening, having waited nearly seven hours for news as they held hope for a quick resolution to the papal election. This was not Mangum's first vigil; he had witnessed this historic waiting game before. The cardinals, now tasked with another round of voting, must reconcile their decisions until a consensus is reached. For them, the responsibility looms large as they stand as stewards of the Catholic Church's future.
