Black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney again on Thursday, indicating that the 133 cardinal-electors have not yet reached a consensus on electing a new pope to guide the Catholic church.
This was the second vote of the morning and the third ballot overall, and the cardinals are expected to reconvene later this afternoon for further voting.
LEADERSHIP recalls that black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney on Wednesday evening, marking the first failed ballot for the conclave, which began on May 7.
The tradition of signalling the vote outcome through chimney smoke continues, with black smoke indicating no decision and white smoke confirming the election of a new pope.
Shouts of “smoke, smoke” echoed through St. Peter’s Square as people rushed to capture the moment.
The last conclave in 2013, which elected Pope Francis, lasted two days and five ballots, while the 2005 conclave for Pope Benedict XVI took four ballots over two days.
The average length of modern conclaves is three days and seven ballots.
Cardinals will resume voting this afternoon under the Sistine Chapel’s iconic frescoes, including Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam,” as the world awaits the next leader of over 1 billion Catholics.