VATICAN CITY — Black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney Wednesday evening, signaling that no pope had been chosen in the first round of voting by the 133 cardinals who gathered to elect a successor to Pope Francis.
The cardinals, part of the most globally diverse conclave in the Church’s history, cast their initial ballots shortly after convening in the afternoon. After failing to reach a decision, they retired for the night and will resume voting Thursday morning.
The day began with solemn pageantry as red-robed cardinals processed into the Sistine Chapel, accompanied by chants and incense, marking the start of the Church’s time-honored ritual to elect a new spiritual leader.
Outside in St. Peter’s Square, a festive crowd watched on giant screens, cheering as the chapel doors closed. Hours later, a plume of black smoke drew a mix of groans and applause from the faithful still gathered.
