Black smoke rose again from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signaling that the second day of the 2025 papal conclave has ended without the election of a new pope.
The 133 cardinal electors, sequestered inside the Vatican since Wednesday, continue to deliberate in secrecy as they work to choose a successor to Pope Francis, who died 16 days ago at the age of 88 after 12 years at the helm of the Catholic Church.
Thursday’s black smoke marked the third failed ballot since voting began. The cardinals cast their first vote Wednesday evening, which also ended without a decision.
A new pope can only be elected once a candidate secures a two-thirds-plus-one majority — a minimum of 89 votes. Until then, the electors are expected to vote twice each morning and twice each afternoon. Black smoke indicates no result, while white smoke will announce the successful election of the new pontiff.
The length of the conclave remains uncertain, but many observers anticipate a resolution in the coming days.
“I think the Church at the moment realizes that they need to bring people together, that they don’t want the Church to look split,” papal historian Rebecca Rist told BBC News. “So I suspect we’ll have the decision by Saturday.”
The world continues to watch for the sign of white smoke and the announcement of the 267th pope.
Edited by Nzubechukwu Eze.
