Black smoke has once again emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that Catholic cardinals are yet to elect a new pope.
Thousands of faithfuls and tourists gathered at St Peter’s Square on Thursday watched as the smoke billowed after the second and third rounds of voting, showing no candidate has received the required two-thirds majority.
The 133 cardinals, currently in a closed-door conclave that began on Wednesday evening, are voting to elect a successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88. The conclave process is shrouded in secrecy, with the result of each ballot revealed through the traditional smoke signal—black for no result and white for a successful election.
Despite Wednesday’s initial black smoke and Thursday morning’s repeated outcome, pilgrims remain hopeful. More ballots are expected later in the day and, if necessary, on Friday.
One Canadian pilgrim, Barbara Mason, said she prefers the cardinals take their time to make the right choice. “I want a pope who will carry on Francis’s legacy of supporting migrants and the environment,” she said.
Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years, was known for his reformist and inclusive approach. His death has left the Church at a crossroads, with cardinals divided over who best fits the role of the 267th pope.
Among those watching closely is Paolo Cabrera from the Philippines. Along with his wife, he arrived early at the Vatican to witness history. He expressed hope for their countryman, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, but added they would accept “whoever God appoints.”
All voting cardinals, aged under 80, are lodged at the Santa Marta guesthouse. Each morning, they attend a private Mass before resuming the voting process. Ballots are cast and counted inside the Sistine Chapel, under Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling.
The smoke is produced by burning the ballot papers along with special chemicals that colour it black or white, depending on the result. While the start of the conclave was televised, all further proceedings remain confidential, and cardinals are sworn to secrecy under threat of excommunication.
Unlike previous conclaves—Pope Benedict XVI was elected in four rounds in 2005, and Francis in five rounds in 2013—this one is more complex. It’s the largest and most diverse in Church history, involving cardinals from over 70 countries.
There is no clear frontrunner, and opinions remain divided between those pushing for continuity and others calling for a more conservative approach. Names like Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy), Peter Erdo (Hungary), and Malcolm Ranjith (Sri Lanka) are among the possibilities.
Beyond choosing a spiritual leader, the new pope will be expected to address internal divisions, geopolitical concerns, dwindling church attendance in the West, and the ongoing impact of clerical abuse scandals.
Juan Benitez, a Colombian Catholic at the Vatican, summed up the expectations: “The Church should not be divided between liberals and conservatives. It is supposed to be universal.”
— AFP
