Black Smoke Signals No New Pope Elected on First Day of Conclave

Vatican City:The first day of the **conclave to elect a new Catholic pope** ended without a decision, as **black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney**, indicating that no candidate secured the required two-thirds majority.

According to international media reports, **cardinals from around 70 countries** gathered in the Vatican on Wednesday for the start of the secretive papal election process. After approximately **three hours and fifteen minutes** of deliberation and voting behind closed doors, the appearance of black smoke signaled an **unsuccessful initial ballot**.

Thousands of onlookers waited in **St. Peter’s Square** for the traditional smoke signal that indicates the outcome of the voting. The cardinals have now returned to the **Santa Marta guesthouse**, where they will stay during the conclave. **Voting will resume Thursday.**

The process, known as the **Conclave**—from the Latin for “with a key”—is a centuries-old tradition wherein cardinals under the age of 80 are **locked inside the Sistine Chapel** until a new pope is chosen. Each round of voting is conducted by **secret ballot**, and the results are burned using special chemicals to produce **black smoke (no result)** or **white smoke (successful election).**

A new pope requires at least **89 votes out of 133** to be elected. The conclave continues with up to **four rounds of voting per day** until a new pope is chosen.

The election follows the **death of Pope Francis**, who passed away recently at the age of **88**, ending a significant era of papal leadership.

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