Black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, which signalled that the first ballot in the conclave to elect a new pope ended without a decision.
The 133 cardinal electors, the largest number ever to participate in a conclave, failed to reach the required two-thirds majority of 89 votes. According to the Vatican News, only one round of voting took place on the first day. The result delays the selection of a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025.
The conclave began earlier in the afternoon with a solemn Mass, followed by the cardinals’ procession into the Sistine Chapel and their oath of secrecy. Despite expectations that the first smoke signal would appear around 7 p.m., it was delayed by two hours due to the large number of votes to count.
Vatican News estimated that around 45,000 people filled St Peter’s Square, waiting for the traditional signal. While most did not expect a result on the first day, they gathered to witness the historic ritual.
Voting will resume on Thursday, with up to four ballots possible each day until a new pope is chosen.