No pope elected on first day of Conclave

Black smoke emerged from the chimney over the Sistine Chapel at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, signaling that the Conclave's first round of balloting concluded without the election of a new pope. (Photo/Vatican News Service)

VATICAN CITY - Black smoke billowed over the Sistine Chapel at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, following the first round of voting, signaling no pope was elected.

Two-thirds of the 133 cardinal electors are needed for a new leader of the Roman Catholic Church to be chosen. Since 1939, only two of the last seven popes have been elected on the first day of the Conclave. No pope in the last 86 years required more than three days.

Votes are handwritten and cast individually into special urns. The top of the ballot reads “Eligo in Summun Pontificem” (“I elect as the Supreme Pontiff”). Ballots are counted by three “scrutineers.” The work is checked by three “revisers.” The ballot counters and verifiers are chosen by lot at the start of the conclave.

One round of voting is expected the first day. Each day after, two votes are taken in the morning and two votes in the afternoon until a successful vote.

Should the conclave extend longer than 4 days, the electors will spend additional time in prayer and discussion before voting resumes.

A chimney is installed on the roof of the Sistine Chapel for the conclave. In the back corner of the chapel, a stove is set to burn ballots and related papers, including notes taken by the electors, each morning and afternoon. If balloting is not successful, the smoke burns black with the help of an added chemical. If balloting is successful, a chemical is added to produce the celebratory white smoke - the signal that the Church has a new pope.

The one who is elected is asked if he accepts the election as pope. If he accepts, he chooses the name he will take. From the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the senior cardinal deacon proclaims, “Habemus papam!” (We have a pope!”), and announces his name. The new pontiff appears on the balcony and imparts his first papal blessing.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, gives the homily in St. Peter’s Basilica at the ‘Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice’ Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on May 7, 2025. (Photo/Daniel Ibañez, CNA)