First conclave vote to elect new pope fails as black smoke emerges
Vatican City: The first vote in the papal conclave to select a successor to Pope Francis ended in failure on Wednesday evening, with black smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel's chimney at 9pm local time.
More than 30,000 people gathered in St Peter's Square to witness the time-honoured tradition which signified that no candidate had garnered the two-thirds majority needed to become the new pope. The record 133 cardinals cast their ballots over more than three hours in the first round of voting.
Giant screens had shown the opening procession of the conclave as thousands of pilgrims gathered to wait at St Peter's Square, along with thousands of the world's press. By 6.30pm they had crammed in to await a result.
Having grown restless by 8.30pm, they began slow clapping and cheering as the sun set over the famed basilica. They let out an audible gasp followed by cheering as the black smoke billowed out the makeshift chimney, which was installed at the weekend.
Cardinals, representing 70 countries, filed into the iconic chapel earlier in the day, the doors slamming shut behind them. Inside, the air was thick with anticipation as the cardinals chanted prayers like the Litany of the Saints and the Veni Creator, seeking guidance for the monumental task ahead.
Sequestered from the outside world and without access to modern technology, they have sworn an oath of secrecy to ensure the integrity of the election. They will remain inside the Vatican's walls until a new pope is chosen.
Four rounds of voting will be held daily – in the morning and in the afternoon – with smoke signalling the result of each session. If no consensus is reached after three days of voting, the cardinals will take a 24-hour break for reflection, a tradition that has not been needed since 1831, when no conclave lasted more than four days.
Ahead of the first vote, cardinals were urged to choose a leader 'the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history.'
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