In Video: Black smoke rises from Sistine Chapel, no pope elected in first round of voting
Good Evening from Rome: No Pope Elected After First Day of Conclave
As we gaze upon the Sistine Chapel, a thick cloud of black smoke billows from the chimney, signaling that the cardinals gathered for the conclave have not yet decided on a new pope. This development means that the conclave will continue into tomorrow, and the world will have to wait a little longer to learn who the next leader of the Catholic Church will be.
Cardinals Take Longer Time Than Expected
NBC News correspondent Anne Thompson reported that the cardinals took 3 hours and 16 minutes to complete the first ballot, which is longer than usual. With 133 electors, the largest number of participants in a conclave, many had expected it would take longer. George Wel, NBC News’ senior Vatican analyst, noted that the cardinals have a lot to get used to, including writing their candidate’s name, walking to the ballot box, and swearing an oath. "It’s just the first vote, and it’s a bit of a beauty pageant," Wel said.
Crowds Gather Outside the Vatican
Molly Hunter, an NBC News correspondent, was live outside St. Peter’s Square, where thousands of enthusiastic people had gathered to wait for news. The crowd remained steadfast, cheering every time there was a glimpse of black smoke, believing it was a sign of a new pope soon.
"I’ve never experienced anything like this before," Elizabeth, a tourist from the United States, said. "We’re all so excited to see who will be the next pope."
What Happens Next?
On the second day of the conclave, the cardinals will take two ballots in the morning, followed by a break for lunch. If there is no new pope elected, they will burn the ballots and continue the process in the afternoon. The cardinals have a deadline of Sunday to elect a new pope, but it’s not uncommon for the conclave to extend into Monday or beyond.
Morning and Afternoon Voting
According to NBC News’ Anne Thompson, the cardinals will take a total of four votes tomorrow. The first two ballots will be taken in the morning, and if there is no new pope elected, they will burn the ballots after the second vote. The same process will repeat in the afternoon.
Conclusion
As the conclave continues into its second day, the world waits with bated breath to learn who the next pope will be. The atmosphere outside the Vatican remains electric, with thousands of people gathered outside the basilica, eager to catch a glimpse of the chimney and hoping to see the white smoke that signals the election of a new pope.
Stay tuned for further updates on this breaking news story.
