The Cardinals in the Vatican conclave were unable to select a new Pope in the first round of voting yesterday, May 7. The black smoke rising from the chimney installed on the Sistine Chapel's roof is indicative of this.
The black smoke signifies that none of the candidates were supported by the majority of the Cardinals. If the Cardinals had chosen a new Pope, white smoke would have been emitted from the chimney.
The voting in the Vatican lasted for more than three hours. A total of 133 Cardinals participated in the voting. To select a new Pope, more than two thirds of the participants, at least 89 people, needed to vote for a single candidate.
According to media reports, over 45,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square on the first day of the conclave.
The second round of voting is scheduled to begin tomorrow, May 8, in the morning, around 10:30 local time (13:30 Tashkent time).
On the first day of the conclave, only one voting session takes place. Subsequent rounds are conducted on other days. Up to four voting sessions can be held each day during the initial four days of the conclave.
In general, the procedure for electing a new Pope includes up to 33 voting sessions. If no candidate gains the support of two thirds of the Cardinals after 33 rounds, the final stage of voting will involve the two leading candidates. In such cases, a simple majority is required to win.
