Black smoke billowed once more from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on the second day of the papal conclave, signaling to the world that the College of Cardinals has not yet chosen a successor to Pope Francis.
The plume, dark and unmistakable, emerged just after the latest round of voting concluded, dashing hopes that a decision might have been reached early in the sacred and secretive process. The traditional signal, black for no decision, white for a new pope, is steeped in centuries of ritual and anticipation.
Cardinals from around the globe are gathered within the frescoed walls of the Sistine Chapel for the second day of the conclave, locked in a spiritual and procedural process that blends prayer, politics, and centuries-old tradition. The next vote is expected to take place around 5:30 p.m. local time (4:30 p.m. BST), offering another chance for consensus to emerge.
The conclave, which began following the end of Pope Francis’s papacy, remains one of the most solemn and watched events in the Catholic world.
Chioma Kalu
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