By Edith Loyola 
The process to elect the new pope, the successor to Pope Francis, began this Wednesday, May 7th, in the Vatican. The 133 cardinal electors gathered in the historic Sistine Chapel for the first vote of the conclave. However, as reported from the scene, the much-anticipated white smoke that would signify the election of the new leader of the Catholic Church did not appear. Instead, at 9:00 PM in Rome (7:00 PM GMT), a column of black smoke rose from the chapel’s chimney, indicating that no consensus had been reached.
The Conclave’s Sacred Tradition
According to Vatican tradition, the conclave is conducted in complete seclusion. The cardinals, bound by an oath of confidentiality, isolate themselves to invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This deeply symbolic ritual underscores the gravity and spiritual significance of their task.
Cardinal Electors and Their Influence
This election involves 133 cardinals under the age of 80, roughly 80% of whom were appointed directly by Pope Francis. This composition has the potential to significantly shape the Church’s future direction, reflecting the priorities of the outgoing pontiff. Despite this, a clear frontrunner has yet to emerge, potentially extending the deliberations for several days.
“Without a clear standout candidate, this conclave is shaping up to be one of the most uncertain in recent times,” noted some observers close to the process, mentioning figures like the Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, though without any apparent consensus.
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Black smoke emerged from the chimney over the Sistine Chapel at 21:00 on Wednesday evening, signalling that a first ballot has been held at the conclave and has concluded without the election of a Pope.https://t.co/hlmAJdskTO pic.twitter.com/AKxuUbDK2g
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 7, 2025
The Ritual of the Vote
The voting itself follows a strict, symbolism-laden ritual. Before entering the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals participate in a solemn mass and sing the Veni Creator hymn in the Pauline Chapel, invoking the Holy Spirit’s guidance. They then proceed behind closed doors for the actual voting, which occurs four times daily: twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon, until one candidate receives at least two-thirds of the votes – 89 of the 133 present.
The Smoke Signals: Black or White
The system for signaling the outcome of each round of voting is equally symbolic. If no consensus is reached, the ballots are burned with a chemical mixture that produces the characteristic black smoke, signaling to the world that no new pope has been chosen. In contrast, when a candidate achieves the required majority, the ballots are burned in a way that produces white smoke – a clear sign to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square and to millions worldwide closely following the event.
An Awaited Outcome
“The world remains expectant, eyes fixed on the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, waiting for the moment when white smoke announces the 267th pope in the history of the Catholic Church,” a Vatican spokesperson noted.
Following this first black smoke signal, the cardinals are expected to resume voting tomorrow, seeking the consensus required to select a new spiritual leader for more than 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.