Black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday, signaling that the 133 cardinal electors have not yet reached the required two-thirds majority to choose a successor to the late Pope Francis.
The first day of the conclave concluded without a decision, as the cardinals gathered in Vatican City to begin the sacred process of selecting a new leader for the Roman Catholic Church’s 1.4 billion faithful.
Voting will resume Thursday morning, with up to four ballots cast daily until a new pope is elected.
Meanwhile, crowds have filled St. Peter’s Square and the Via della Conciliazione, eagerly awaiting the moment white smoke announces the Church’s next pontiff.
