The Vatican’s Sistine Chapel chimney once again belched black smoke on Thursday morning, signaling that the cardinals have not yet reached the two-thirds majority required to elect a new pope. It was the second round of voting since the conclave began, and the outcome leaves over 1.4 billion Catholics around the world still waiting for a spiritual successor to Pope Francis.
Crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square early in anticipation of the vote. For a few suspenseful seconds, smoke-watchers squinted toward the sky, unsure whether the billowing cloud would turn white — but the answer was soon clear: another inconclusive round.
What Happens Next
After this morning’s vote, the 133 cardinal-electors broke for lunch at their residence in Casa Santa Marta. They are expected to return to the Sistine Chapel this afternoon for two more rounds of voting.
Each day of conclave typically includes four ballots: two in the morning, two in the evening. If no clear winner emerges from a pair of votes, black smoke is released. Only when a candidate receives the required two-thirds majority (at least 89 votes) will white smoke rise — accompanied by the ringing of bells — to signal the election of a new pope.
Why the Conclave Is Happening Now
The conclave was convened following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025. Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, served as the 266th pope of the Catholic Church since his election in 2013. He was the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to serve as pontiff.
In keeping with centuries of tradition, the cardinals now gather in strict secrecy to choose his successor — someone who will guide the Church through a complex and ever-changing world.
How the Papal Conclave Works
The conclave is held inside the Sistine Chapel, beneath Michelangelo’s famous frescoes. All cardinal-electors under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. They are isolated from the outside world — no phones, no news, no communication — to ensure prayerful and unbiased deliberation.
The word “conclave” comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning “with a key,” referring to the locked doors during the election process.
Each cardinal writes the name of his chosen candidate on a ballot, folds it, and places it into a chalice atop a silver plate. The votes are tallied, and the ballots are burned in a special stove. Chemicals are added to produce either black smoke (no decision) or white smoke (a new pope elected).
What to Watch For This Afternoon
Voting resumes this afternoon around 4 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET). Two more ballots may be cast today, bringing the total to four. If one of those rounds produces a clear winner, white smoke and bells will mark the moment — followed by the new pope appearing on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver his first public blessing.
Until then, the world watches and waits.
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