The black smoke that emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 9:00 PM local time (7:00 PM GMT) signaled the end of the first day of the conclave, with no agreement among the cardinals to elect a new Pope to succeed Francis, who passed away on April 21.
The anticipated visual signal confirmed what many feared: the two-thirds majority required (89 votes from the 133 voting cardinals) to proclaim a new Pontiff was not reached.
Thus, the first vote of the conclave, which formally began this Wednesday following the traditional "Extra Omnes" —"Everyone out"— spoken by the Vatican Master of Ceremonies, Monsignor Diego Ravelli, at 5:46 PM, concluded without result.
Since the early afternoon, global attention has focused on the Vatican chimney.
In St. Peter's Square, over 30,000 people, according to police sources, anxiously awaited the signal of smoke, amid an atmosphere of respect, prayer, and anticipation.
A seagull, perched for a long time on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, became the unexpected observer and viral symbol of the moment.
Before the start of the voting, the cardinals swore to maintain the strictest secrecy regarding everything related to the election process, in accordance with the protocol of the conclave.
This Thursday, the cardinals will meet again starting at 9:00 AM local time to continue the voting process. Two rounds are scheduled for the morning and two more for the afternoon.
If the necessary consensus is not reached in the first votes of each round, new smoke signals are expected around noon (12:00 local time, 10:00 GMT) and in the evening (19:00 local time, 17:00 GMT).
An early smoke signal would indicate that the required majority has been reached and that there is already a new Pope.
The Catholic world remains vigilant as the Church faces one of the most significant decisions in its recent history: the election of the new spiritual leader for over 1.3 billion believers.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Vatican Conclave 2025
Why did the black smoke occur at the Vatican conclave?
The black smoke indicates that the necessary consensus was not reached among the cardinals to elect the new Pope in the first vote of the conclave. To proclaim a new Pontiff, a two-thirds majority of the votes is required, meaning at least 89 out of the 133 cardinals eligible to vote. The lack of agreement on this first day prolongs the election process.
How many votes are cast daily during the conclave?
During the conclave, four daily votes are held: two in the morning and two in the afternoon. If consensus is not reached in the first votes of each session, a new smoke signal is expected around noon and in the evening. This process will continue until a new Pope is elected, with the possibility of a day of pause dedicated to prayer if no agreement is reached over three consecutive days.
What protocol do the cardinals follow during the conclave?
The cardinals must maintain the strictest secrecy regarding everything related to the election process according to the conclave protocol. They are isolated from the outside world, and any violation of this rule may result in automatic excommunication "latae sententiae". The election process is conducted exclusively by ballot and requires a qualified majority of two-thirds of the votes to elect the new Pope.
What does the white smoke symbolize in the conclave?
The white smoke is the signal that a new Pope has been chosen. This occurs when a cardinal receives a two-thirds majority of the votes in the conclave. Once selected, the new Pontiff accepts the position and prepares to appear on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, where the cardinal protodeacon will announce to the world the "Habemus Papam."
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