On Wednesday, 7 May 2025, black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signalling that the College of Cardinals had not yet elected a new pope. The smoke, a centuries-old tradition, marked the end of the first day of the papal conclave without consensus among the 133 cardinal-electors.
The conclave follows the death of Pope Francis on 21 April, and brings together cardinals from over 70 countries. This broad representation is the result of Pope Francis’s efforts to diversify the College during his papacy. Despite speculation that the new pope could be elected swiftly, the initial ballot did not produce the required two-thirds majority.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy, Vatican Secretary of State, is widely seen as a leading candidate and reportedly gained significant early support, but not enough to secure election. Voting will resume today, Thursday, with up to four ballots scheduled daily until a new pope is chosen.
The process is being held under strict secrecy. Measures include signal jamming and the confiscation of all mobile devices to maintain confidentiality. Any leak of information is considered a grave violation of conclave protocol.
Outside the Vatican, a small protest took place in Rome where a group of Catholic women released pink smoke, calling attention to their demands for greater inclusion of women in church leadership roles.
The world now awaits further developments as the cardinals continue their sacred task of selecting the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
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