Victor EzejaBlack smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney on Thursday, signalling that no new pope had been elected after the morning balloting, which was day two of the exercise.
This means the 133 cardinal electors could not reach a two-thirds majority after three sessions of voting.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to tradition, for the election of a new pope, black smoke signifies an unsuccessful election, while white smoke means a new pope has been elected. The conclave for the election of the 267th pontiff commenced on Wednesday, with a Holy Mass where cardinals and thousands of faithful gathered at St. Peter’s Square and prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide the 133 cardinal electors to elect a pope who will lead the over 1.4 billion Catholics.
Thereafter there was a procession of the electors into the Sistine Chapel where the voting is taking place. They took oath of secrecy and would remain inside the chapel, shut out from communicating with the outside until the voting exercise is concluded with the election of a new pope.
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After the first round of voting on Wednesday, black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney.
Videos shared online show large crowd gathered outside awaiting the outcome.
The election comes follows the conclusion of the burial of 266th Pope, Francis I, who died last month.
The delay in getting two-thirds majority votes needed for a new pope to emerge is not unusual given the past antecedents.
Popes Benedict XVI and Francis were both elected on the second day of voting. While Benedict’s election became successful after four rounds of voting; Francis took five rounds.
Pope John Paul II, Benedict’s predecessor, who was elected in 1978, took three days of voting, in the eighth round.
The longest conclave in the history of the Catholic Church lasted almost three years—from November 1268 to September 1271.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
