On Wednesday evening at 9 PM (Rome Time), black smoke emerged from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, signaling that the first ballot of the papal conclave had concluded without a definitive election of a new pope. The smoke, a long-standing tradition in conclave proceedings, indicates that the cardinal electors have not reached the required two-thirds majority necessary to elect a new pontiff.
According to Vatican News, approximately 45,000 people had gathered in St. Peter’s Square in anticipation of the outcome. The crowd began to assemble after 7 PM, with many waiting patiently for hours despite the chilly night air.
Among those present in the square was Deacon Nicholas Nkoronko from Tanzania, who emphasized the importance of prayer in this pivotal moment for the Church. “Our role here is to pray and to join with other Christians, other Catholics, to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the whole process,” Nkoronko said, as reported by Vatican News. He further stressed, “Wherever the new Pope comes from, whether it’s Africa, Asia, America, what we need is we need a holy Pope. We need a Pope who will guide the Church and will be the pastor of the Church.”
The conclave, convened to elect the successor to Pope Francis, will resume with further voting sessions scheduled for the coming days. The cardinals will continue to deliberate in the Sistine Chapel until a consensus is reached. The world watches and prays, awaiting the white smoke that will announce the election of the next Vicar of Christ.
