Vatican City: Black smoke was emitted from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Thursday, indicating that the cardinals participating in the papal conclave did not elect a successor to Pope Francis in the second and third rounds of voting.
According to Ansa News Agency, the smoke signal had already been black following the first vote of the conclave on Wednesday. The 133 cardinal electors will now return to the Santa Marta residence inside the Vatican, where most of them are staying during the conclave, for lunch.
The cardinals are set to conduct up to two more votes and produce one more smoke signal later on Thursday. The appearance of white smoke will signify the election of a new leader for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. To achieve this, a two-thirds majority is required among the cardinal electors.
Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, after leading the Church for 12 years.
