Conclave Smokes Signal Impasse: No Pope Chosen on First Vote

Cardinal electors from six continents convened within the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican on Wednesday for the The 2025 gathering to choose a new pope After the initial vote, dark smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel as evening descended upon Rome, signaling that they had not reached an agreement on selecting the new pope.

The conclave started 16 days following the passing of 88-year-old Pope Francis, who guided the globe's 1.4 billion Catholics for 12 years.

Since nobody achieved the necessary two-thirds-plus-one majority in the initial ballot, the cardinals will continue their proceedings on Thursday morning. Once a new pope has been selected, white smoke will rise through the chimney as an indication.

One cannot articulate this precisely. How lengthy will the conclave be? However, numerous observers anticipate that the 133 cardinal electors will select a new pope within a short period.

On Wednesday morning, before the main events, the cardinals attended one last mass at St. Peter's Basilica. This service was conducted by Giovanni Battista Re, who serves as the dean of the College of Cardinals.

We have gathered to seek the assistance of the Holy Spirit, pleading for His guidance and fortitude so that the chosen pope will be one who serves both the needs of the Church and mankind during these challenging and intricate times in our historical progression," Re addressed the cardinals. "This plea also underscores the importance of upholding the unity within the Church... a unity characterized by harmony rather than sameness, rooted firmly in deep communion amidst differences.

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The cardinals were told they ought to pray for "a pope capable of reigniting the consciences of everyone along with their moral and spiritual vigor within our contemporary society—marked by significant technological advancements yet prone to overlooking God. Our present-day world looks to the Church for strong leadership concerning the protection of essential human and spiritual principles; without these, societal harmony cannot improve nor ensure a brighter future for coming generations."

Following a meeting at the Apostolic Palace, an exceptionally varied assembly of voters—representing more than 70 distinct nations—proceeded in procession from the palace’s Pauline Chapel into the adjacent Sistine Chapel, which will host the conclave.

The procedure for choosing a new pope is cloaked in mystery, and each of the cardinal electors went individually into the chapel to swear an oath moments before the conclave began, pledging to maintain that confidentiality.

Each of us commits and vows to maintain the highest level of loyalty and confidentiality concerning all matters pertaining to the election of the Roman Pontiff and anything happening at the venue of the election, whether directly or indirectly linked to the outcome of the votes," declared the cardinals in Latin. "We pledge and vow never to disclose this information under any circumstances—whether before, during, or following the selection of the new pope—unless specifically permitted by him personally.

The cardinals who are voting must surrender their electronic gadgets throughout the gathering.

Dozens of less senior Vatican staff and clergy who will play some part in the conclave had already taken a similar vow of secrecy.

After the last of the cardinal electors took the oath of secrecy, a declaration of "extra omnes" — or "everyone out" — by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Vatican's master of ceremonies, was the signal for everyone else to leave the Sistine Chapel so the work of the conclave could begin. The chapel's doors were then locked from the inside.

The cardinals were expected to hold a single round of voting before an evening prayer on Wednesday, and since additional votes will be needed, they'll return to the Sistine Chapel to continue the process Thursday morning.