Conclave: Video Shows Moment Black Smoke Escaped From Vatican Chimney As First Day Ends in Deadlock

• The Catholic cardinals who gathered to elect a new Pope of the church did not succeed on the first day of the conclave
• A video posted on Facebook showed the moment a black smoke escaped from the Vatican's chimney
• When a black smoke escapes from the famous Vatican chimney, it signifies that a vote did not produce a new Pope

Catholic cardinals are currently gathered at the Vatican to elect a Pope who will lead the church after the death of Pope Francis.

The conclave began on May 7, 2024, and the first vote was held the same day by the cardinals.

According to a post by Vatican News, the first vote did not produce a new Pope.

To signal that the first vote did not produce a pope, black smoke was seen escaping from the Vatican chimney.

Vatican News writes:

"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."

Watch the video below:

Reactions to black smoke from Vatican chimney

Ellen Calog said:

"Come, Holy Spirit, guide the hearts and minds of the cardinals gathered in conclave. Fill them with wisdom, courage, and unity, that they may discern Your holy will. Lead them to choose a shepherd who will serve with humility and faithfulness, for the glory of God and the good of His Church. Amen."

Charlene Shanny Stuart said:

"May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, intercede with her maternal intercession, so that the Holy Spirit will enlighten the minds of the Cardinal electors and help them agree on the Pope that our time needs."

Pope Francis: Voting for a new pope

The voting process for a new pope uses secret balloting. The cardinals say their prayers and then drop their votes.

Four rounds of voting are held each day during the selection process until a pope is elected.

When a candidate receives the highest votes, he is asked if he accepts his elevation into the seat of a pope by the dean of the College of Cardinals.

Pope: What if none receives 2/3 of votes?

During the conclave, there is the possibility of the candidates failing to receive the required number of votes.

The required number of votes for a pope to be elected is 2/3 of the cardinal electors, which is between 80 and 90 votes.

If it happens that no candidate receives the required number of votes, the casted ballots are burned with chemicals, and it produces black smoke, indicating no one has been elected.

New pope: The white smoke during the conclave

When a candidate has received the required number of votes, the ballots are once again burned, but this time around, they are burned with chemicals that enable them to produce white smoke, indicating a pope has been elected.

Once the person who is elected accepts the election, he chooses his name and then proceeds to the balcony of St Peter's Basilica. He then pronounces his blessing on the city of Rome.

But before then, the dean of the cardinal of electors pronounces the Latin words "Habemus Papam", which means “we have a pope.”

Who will be the next Pope?

In a related story, Legit.ng reported that after Pope Francis' death was announced, questions arose on who would succeed him.

Several top cardinals at the Vatican were tipped to succeed the Pope, who died at 88.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng