The papal conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis entered its second day on Thursday, but black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that the cardinals had not yet reached a decision. The first voting round on Wednesday ended inconclusively after several hours of deliberation, reflecting the complex dynamics among the newly assembled group of 133 cardinals.
As the event unfolded, crowds gathered anxiously in St. Peter's Square, observing the smoke that had prompted gasps and groans when it signaled no majority for any candidate. This marks the first conclave in over a decade since the death of Pope Francis, creating an atmosphere of historic significance. With many of the cardinals appointed by Francis themselves, they are confronting unfamiliar alliances, priorities, and acceptable directions for the Church amid diverging progressive and conservative views.
The conclave's rules dictate that the cardinals will vote up to four times a day until one candidate secures two-thirds of the votes. Each round's outcome is communicated through black smoke for a failed election or white smoke if a new pope is chosen, though no fixed timeline exists for this process. Historically, elections have varied in length, with some taking mere hours while others, like the notorious election of Pope Gregory X, dragged on for nearly three years.
Amidst the uncertainty, some cardinals expressed the belief that this conclave may last longer than past selections due to the evolving relationships between the electors. Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York even came prepared with provisions for an extended wait, anticipating a protracted deliberation period.
Voting will continue, with the next rounds scheduled throughout the day until a consensus is reached among the cardinals. Their task is to select a pope who will define the future of the Church amid the complexities of adhering to the legacy of Pope Francis while navigating an increasingly polarized Catholic community.
