Vatican City: Black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican after the first vote of the cardinals gathered in conclave. The elections, which have been held in the greatest secrecy for more than three hours, have not yet resulted in the designation of Pope Francis’s successor.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the cardinals convened for this crucial election process, which remains shrouded in confidentiality to ensure the integrity of the selection. The black smoke is a traditional signal indicating that no consensus has been reached among the cardinals during the voting process.
The conclave, a gathering of esteemed cardinals from around the globe, continues as they deliberate over the election of a new pope. The process requires a two-thirds majority to successfully elect the new leader of the Catholic Church. Until such a decision is reached, the world watches in anticipation for the appearance of white smoke, the signal of a successful election.