Black Smoke Signals No Pope Elected Yet

Black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday evening, indicating that the College of Cardinals had failed to elect a successor to Pope Francis in their initial round of voting.

The 133 cardinal-electors reconvened on Thursday for a second day of deliberations, continuing their search for a new leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Roman Catholics amid a period of global upheaval.

How the Conclave Works

The papal election began on Wednesday following the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at age 88. The delay between his passing and the conclave allowed time for funeral rites, mourning, and for cardinals to gather in Rome from around the world.

Isolated from outside influence, the cardinals are sequestered within Vatican City, shuttling between their residences and the Sistine Chapel—where they cast secret ballots. To ensure secrecy, the Vatican has confiscated their phones, disabled cell service, and deployed signal jammers around the chapel and their lodgings at Domus Santa Marta.

The voting process is steeped in tradition. Cardinals write their choices on paper ballots, which are then burned in a special stove—black smoke for no decision, white smoke for a new pope. A two-thirds majority (89 votes) is required for election.

A Diverse Electorate

This conclave features the most geographically varied group of electors in history, reflecting Catholicism’s growth in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Of the 133 voting cardinals, 108 were appointed by Francis, suggesting a potential inclination to continue his legacy.

While there are no official candidates, several cardinals are considered papabile—possessing the qualities befitting a pope. Since John Paul II broke the Italian papacy’s dominance in 1978, the pool of contenders has expanded globally. The past three popes came from Poland, Germany, and Argentina.

Historically, conclaves last between three and eight ballots. Three of the last five popes were elected on the second day. With up to four voting rounds scheduled for Thursday—morning and evening—white smoke could emerge by day’s end.

Yet this election is unprecedented in its scale and diversity, with many cardinals meeting for the first time in recent weeks. The longest conclave lasted nearly three years, but modern elections typically conclude within days. Once elected, the new pope chooses his name, vests in the "Room of Tears," and prepares to address the world.