Sistine Chapel Smoke Signals No New Pope Yet \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Catholic Church’s conclave to elect a new pope began Wednesday, but the first round of voting ended without a result, as signaled by black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney. The 133 cardinals will return Thursday to continue the process. The global gathering follows Pope Francis’ resignation and reflects his diverse legacy.
Quick Looks
- Black smoke from the Sistine Chapel signaled no pope elected on Wednesday.
- 133 cardinals from 70 countries gathered for the most diverse conclave in history.
- First vote failed to produce a winner; cardinals return Thursday.
- The cardinals entered with chants and Latin prayers, swearing oaths of secrecy.
- 81% of voting cardinals were appointed by Pope Francis, shaping the process.
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin presided over the conclave; he’s also a top contender.
- No clear frontrunner emerged before the conclave, raising suspense over voting rounds.
- Lobbying efforts included youth groups, conservatives, abuse survivors, and women’s advocates.
- White House photo of Trump in papal robes sparked controversy.
- Cardinals face major decisions on Church direction post-Francis, including LGBTQ+ inclusion and reform.
Deep Look
The Sistine Chapel chimney emitted black smoke on Wednesday evening, confirming that the first vote in the papal conclave ended without a clear winner. It was a dramatic but expected moment in the opening of the centuries-old ritual to elect the 267th pope and spiritual leader of the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church.
The 133 voting cardinals, representing 70 countries, gathered under the iconic frescoes of Michelangelo’s Last Judgment, beginning a secretive process steeped in tradition, prayer, and global significance. The black smoke, a signal recognized around the world, means that no cardinal achieved the required two-thirds majority (89 votes) necessary for election.
As they entered the chapel Wednesday, the cardinals chanted the Litany of the Saints, imploring divine guidance. The Vatican’s Swiss Guards stood solemnly, and each cardinal took an oath of secrecy, placing a hand on the Gospel.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State and a widely discussed contender, led the first session. The cardinals were sequestered from the world: no phones, no contact, no media. Vatican communications were jammed. A lone elderly cardinal delivered a meditation before being dismissed—too old to vote under conclave rules.
Outside, St. Peter’s Square buzzed with anticipation, drawing thousands of faithful, tourists, and journalists. Many waited for hours, their eyes fixed on screens broadcasting the image of the chapel’s thin chimney pipe. When the black smoke finally curled into the evening sky, a cheer and sigh of suspense swept through the crowd. The vote was over—but the decision was not yet made.
Diversity and Division
This conclave is notable not only for its pageantry but also its unusual degree of unpredictability. Pope Francis’ influence looms large, having appointed 108 of the 133 electors, many from previously underrepresented parts of the world such as Mongolia, Tonga, and Sweden. This “global south” strategy emphasized marginalized regions and younger church leaders, shifting the balance away from the historically European-dominated hierarchy.
Yet this same diversity may also delay consensus. Many cardinals only met in person in the days leading up to the conclave and expressed concern that not enough time had been given to build relationships or evaluate the leading candidates. As Cardinal Mario Zenari remarked, “Wait and see, a little patience.”
Sacred Ceremony and Secular Influences
Despite centuries of regulations aimed at shielding the conclave from external influence, modern lobbying has flourished. Groups advocating for change and continuity alike descended on Rome:
- Young Catholics issued an open letter urging attention to youth, women, and laypeople.
- Conservative media circulated polished candidate guides among the cardinals.
- Survivors of clergy sexual abuse called for a leader who will act on decades of misconduct.
- Advocates for women’s ordination launched pink smoke above the Vatican to press for reform.
- Even the White House entered the fray, drawing rebuke for posting a satirical photo of President Donald Trump in papal garb—an act condemned by former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi as “indecent.”
Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York acknowledged the internal politicking as well, noting that cardinals “invite each other out” to discuss candidates. “Now, we’re not horse trading,” he said, “but we’re pretty blunt.”
What the Cardinals Are Weighing
As they return Thursday, the cardinals face a fundamental question: continue Pope Francis’ progressive legacy or reverse course toward traditionalist views. Issues on the table include:
- Women’s roles in the Church
- LGBTQ+ inclusion
- Climate change advocacy
- Migrant rights
- Handling of clergy sexual abuse scandals
Since Francis shaped the majority of voters, many expect continuity, but how it manifests remains uncertain. The list of “papabile,” or potential popes, includes a blend of progressive and conservative voices, such as:
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy), 70 – a diplomatic moderate with institutional experience.
- Cardinal Luis Tagle (Philippines), 67 – a popular figure from Asia and advocate for the poor.
- Cardinal Peter Erdo (Hungary), 72 – a conservative voice from Eastern Europe.
As history shows, conclaves can move quickly—or drag on for several days. John Paul II was elected on the eighth ballot; Francis on the fifth. This time, given the mix of backgrounds and ideologies, some Vatican watchers predict a longer conclave, though many still believe it will be settled within a few rounds.
Faith in the Holy Spirit
Amid the politics and pageantry, many faithful—like Lisette Herrera, a tourist from the Dominican Republic—remained focused on the spiritual core of the event.
“I’m praying to the Holy Spirit for a young pope who would stay with us for a long time,” she said, skipping sightseeing for a vigil in St. Peter’s Square. “I don’t believe in conclave politics. I just feel that the Holy Spirit is here—and that’s all we need to know.”
The world now waits, as the red-robed princes of the Church prepare to vote again Thursday, cloistered beneath the frescoes of divine judgment, tasked with choosing the next leader of the Catholic Church at a pivotal crossroads in its history.
