VATICAN CITY — On Thursday morning, a plume of black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, indicating that the 133 cardinal electors have yet to reach a two-thirds majority in their quest to elect the next pontiff. Following the opening ballot on Wednesday, this marks the third consecutive vote without a definitive selection for a new pope. The cardinal electors are scheduled for two additional votes on Thursday afternoon, continuing the process until a candidate for the papacy achieves the required majority.
The cardinal electors will cast their votes four times daily until a new pope is elected. If no consensus is reached after three days, a designated day of prayer will ensue. The conclave commenced with cardinals entering the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, where they will deliberate and ultimately choose the spiritual leader for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. As the evening fell on Wednesday, the iconic black smoke emerged from the chapel, signaling that the cardinals had not yet elected a successor to the late Pope Francis.
As the conclave began, St. Peter's Square basked in sunlight, casting a golden hue over the basilica's dome. Crowds gathered in small clusters, eagerly awaiting the anticipated smoke signal from the Sistine Chapel. Attendees, spanning various ages and languages, included clergy, laity, and both seasoned and novice onlookers, all drawn to this significant historical moment in the world’s smallest country.
Despite the expectation of black smoke on the first evening of the conclave, pilgrim Ceci Triska from Texas expressed a sense of quiet anticipation among the crowd. "I don’t have a favorite potential pope in mind," she shared, "but I'm looking for higher guidance. We've been praying for the Holy Spirit to take over. Whatever God's will, it's going to be great." Her sentiments reflect the spiritual atmosphere permeating the gathering.
Meanwhile, Patrizia Silveri, a native Roman, hopes for an Italian pope. She remarked, "The pope is like family for the Roman citizens. We consider the pope as our business." This sentiment underscores the personal connection many Romans feel towards the papal office.
Young voices also chimed in, such as Mireia Mejias, a 20-year-old student from Spain studying in Italy. As a young Catholic, she hopes the new pope will carry forward the legacy of Pope Francis. "I hope that the next pope is also a leader for non-Catholics. For me, Christ is universal, and the church should be universal," Mejias stated, emphasizing the hope for inclusivity and global leadership in the Church.
As the papal conclave continues, the world watches closely for the outcome of the voting process. The Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Square remain central to this historic event, embodying the hopes and prayers of millions as they await the emergence of white smoke, signaling the election of the new pope.
