Pope Election: First Ballot Resulted in No Outcome

Black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel - a sign that no name had received the necessary two-thirds majority in the vote. The voting will continue on Thursday. For the election of the 267th pope, 89 votes are necessary. Starting Thursday, four ballots are scheduled daily.

Pope Election Over Three Hours Waiting for the Result of the First Ballot

The tens of thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square had to wait over three hours for the result of the first ballot - longer than expected. An outcome was anticipated by 7:00 PM, but the waiting time extended and the tension grew. Pilgrims waited praying, kneeling, or sitting on the cobblestones for the smoke.

The faithful in St. Peter's Square and the journalists in the Vatican press room puzzled over the long wait. It was only more than three hours after the closing of the doors of the Sistine Chapel with the formula "Extra omnes" that smoke was seen from the chimney. It was said that the record number of papal electors participating in the conclave could have led to the extension of the election procedures. At the last conclave in 2013, 115 cardinals participated in the papal election, this time there are 133. It was speculated that a certain inexperience of the many cardinals appointed by Pope Francis with the election procedures could have contributed to delays.

As long as the cardinals cannot agree on a pope with the required two-thirds majority, the ballots are burned with a chemical additive, so that black smoke rises from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel. Only when a new pope is elected does white smoke rise - in addition, the bells of St. Peter's Basilica ring. On Thursday, four ballots are scheduled - two in the morning and two in the afternoon.

Cardinals Entered Sistine Chapel in the Afternoon

The conclave officially began on Wednesday afternoon. The cardinals from all over the world entered the Sistine Chapel in a solemn procession at 4:30 PM on Wednesday afternoon and took the oath - after which the door was closed behind them. A short conclave of only a few days is expected in the Vatican.

During the papal election that began on Wednesday, the Vatican state shuts down all its mobile and telecommunications facilities. From Wednesday at 3:00 PM until the official announcement of the election of a new pope from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, the network remains out of operation. This is to prevent any electronic communication, so that the conclave can proceed under the strictest secrecy, as prescribed by canon law. The cardinals thus give up contact with the outside world. And not only during the ballots in the Sistine Chapel, but also in their accommodation during the papal election, the guesthouse Santa Marta.

(APA/Red)

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