The first day of the papal conclave ended without a decision, as black smoke, or fumata nera, rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel—a traditional sign that the 133 cardinal-electors have not yet reached consensus on the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
The vote comes in the wake of Pope Francis’s death on April 21, marking the end of a papacy that spanned more than a decade and was defined by reform, outreach, and global engagement. In keeping with centuries of tradition, the cardinals gathered in strict secrecy to begin the process of selecting the 267th pontiff.
To be elected, a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority. Though official voting details remain confidential, sources close to the Vatican suggest that Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the current Vatican Secretary of State, emerged as an early frontrunner—garnering substantial but not decisive support in the initial ballot.
The conclave will continue in the coming days with up to four rounds of voting daily until a new pope is chosen. The world now turns its eyes to the Vatican, watching for the moment when white smoke—fumata bianca—will rise, signaling that a new pope has been elected.
This moment of suspense, rich in ritual and global significance, once again places the Catholic Church at a turning point in its long and storied history.
