Black smoke rises as conclave fails to elect new pope at first meeting
Thick black smoke billowed into the sky from the Sistine Chapel chimney at the end of the first meeting of cardinals on Wednesday, signalling that no pope has been elected.
The election of the 267th Pope, which commenced on Wednesday, saw 133 cardinals from across the globe converge to choose a new leader for the Catholic Church.
However, the release of black smoke after Wednesday’s meeting means the cardinals will meet again tomorrow to continue the election until a pope is elected.
This follows the burial of Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday morning at the age of 88.
A new pope must poll a two-thirds majority to emerge during the election process. Then, white smoke will be released from the Sistine Chapel chimney.
Earlier on Tuesday, mobile phone signals were shut down to block any form of disruptive surveillance or external interference during the election of the new pope.
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