Black smoke once again billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, confirming that the cardinals meeting in conclave have not yet reached a decision on who will become the next pope, Igbere TV reports.
This is the second consecutive day of voting without a result, as 133 cardinal electors remain locked inside the Vatican, engaged in deep and secret deliberations. The black smoke, a centuries-old symbol, signified that no candidate had received the required two-thirds majority vote to be named the new spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Crowds of faithful Catholics and curious onlookers stood in anticipation at St. Peter’s Square, eyes fixed on the iconic chimney, only to be met with disappointment as the dark smoke rose once again. The atmosphere was quiet and prayerful, with many holding rosaries and silently hoping for divine guidance to help bring the process to a conclusion.
The world now waits for the moment when white smoke will rise—a sign that a new pope has been elected and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica will ring out in celebration.
Until then, the suspense continues as the Catholic Church takes careful steps in choosing a new leader to guide its over 1.3 billion followers worldwide.
