On Wednesday evening, May 7th, black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling the first ballot in the papal conclave had failed to produce a new pontiff. This development, while not unexpected, was met with anticipation by thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square. The cardinals, having commenced the process with a solemn swearing of secrecy, cast their votes within the isolated confines of the Sistine Chapel. The event underscored the ongoing tension between progressive and traditionalist factions within the Catholic Church.
The wait for the smoke’s release was considerably longer than expected, stretching beyond three hours—an hour longer than the 2013 conclave that resulted in the election of Pope Francis. The absence of white smoke, which signals the election of a new pope, confirmed the lack of a decision on the first day of voting. This is unusual, as first-ballot elections are rare in modern times.
Despite this, some cardinals expressed optimism earlier in the week, hoping to conclude the process by Thursday or Friday. The goal is to demonstrate the Church’s ability to maintain unity following the frequently contentious twelve-year papacy of the late Pope Francis, who passed away last month.
The 133 cardinal electors, all under 80, will spend the night in Vatican guesthouses, allowing for informal discussions before returning to the Sistine Chapel on Thursday morning. Following Wednesday’s single round of voting, two voting sessions will be held both in the morning and afternoon, continuing until a candidate receives at least two-thirds of the votes (89 in this case).
The chimney smoke serves as the sole means of communication with the outside world. The ballots, combined with special chemicals, burn to produce black smoke (indicating no decision) or white smoke (signifying a papal election). Historically, papal conclaves are short, as evidenced by the two-day durations of the 2005 and 2013 conclaves.
Cardinals have expressed diverse views regarding the qualities sought in the next pontiff. Some advocate for continuing Pope Francis’ progressive reforms and openness, while others prefer a return to more traditional practices. A shared desire is for a more predictable and deliberate leadership style.
Before the conclave, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re (too old to vote at 91) delivered a sermon, urging his colleagues to set aside personal considerations and focus on “the good of the Church and of humanity.” He also highlighted the importance of respecting diversity within the Church, stating, “Unity does not mean uniformity, but a firm and profound communion in diversity.”
This sentiment echoes criticisms leveled against Pope Francis by some ultra-conservative factions who viewed his stance on issues concerning LGBT individuals, Protestants, Muslims, and divorced individuals as overly inclusive.
Currently, no clear frontrunner has emerged, although Cardinals Pietro Parolin (Italy) and Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines) are considered leading candidates. If neither gains sufficient support, attention may shift to other candidates based on geographical representation, theological alignment, or common languages. Potential candidates include Jean-Marc Aveline (France), Peter Erdő (Hungary), Robert Prevost (USA), and Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy).
A record number of 133 cardinals from 70 countries participated, compared to 115 from 48 nations in 2013—reflecting Pope Francis’ success in expanding the Church’s global reach. The cardinals must decide whether the next pope should originate from the growing congregations of the global South (as with Pope Francis), or whether the papacy should return to Europe, or even see its first American pope.
The conclave commenced with a formal procession into the Sistine Chapel, featuring Latin chants, organ music, and Michelangelo’s Last Judgment fresco. The cardinals swore an oath of secrecy before Archbishop Diego Ravelli announced “Extra omnes!” (Everyone out!), closing off the chapel to the outside world. Although formal discussion is prohibited during voting, informal campaigning is expected during breaks and meals.
