The conclave enters its second day Thursday May, 8 2025 after the first vote ended without choosing a new Pope. On Wednesday evening at 10:00 p.m, black smoke came out of the chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that no one was elected as Pope during the first ballot.
About 45,000 people had gathered in St. Peter’s Square, hoping to see white smoke, which would have meant a new Pope was chosen.
The cardinals have all taken an oath of secrecy and given up their electronic devices to prevent communication outside the conclave, leaks or outside surveillance. The cardinals and Vatican staff will only get their phones and devices back once the conclave has ended.
The cardinals will continue voting until one of them receives enough support to become the next leader of the Catholic Church. White smoke will rise from the chimney when a new Pope is chosen.
For the next three days, up to four rounds of voting will be held per day; two in the morning and two in the afternoon. If there is still no new pontiff by the fifth day, which falls on Sunday, the cardinals get a break from voting and instead are given time for prayer, quiet reflection and informal discussion.
The 133 cardinals from 72 countries across the globe are voting for Pope Francis’ successor following his death in April, 2025.
This year’s conclave is quiet unique; According the the Vatican reports, it is the most geographically diverse in the history of the Catholic Church.
Also, 108 of the 133 voting cardinals were appointed by Pope Francis over his 12-year papacy and at least 25 come from nations that have never participated in a conclave before.
