NEW POPE: First Round of Voting Concludes with Black Smoke
- Afri Careers
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City — The solemn yet suspenseful process of electing the 267th pope is officially underway. On Wednesday evening, the first ballot of the 2025 conclave concluded with black smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 9 p.m. local time—signaling that no pope had been elected.
What’s Happening?
According to Italian media reports, the session experienced delays partly due to a 45-minute meditation by Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa. Additionally, a number of non-Italian-speaking cardinals reportedly struggled to navigate the process, contributing to the slower pace of the day’s proceedings.
Over 45,000 pilgrims and onlookers packed St. Peter’s Square in anticipation of the smoke signal, standing for hours under cloudy Roman skies. But their hopes were met only with the traditional sign of indecision: black smoke.
So What's Next?
This year’s conclave is the most globally diverse in history, bringing together cardinal electors from over 70 countries. Despite the logistical challenges, this broad representation marks a significant evolution in the global face of Catholic leadership.
The conclave resumes on Thursday with four scheduled votes—two in the morning and two in the afternoon. As per tradition, cardinals remain secluded in Vatican City, taking part in Mass, Lauds (morning prayers), and repeated rounds of balloting until a two-thirds majority (89 votes) is achieved.
Until then, black smoke will continue to signal an inconclusive vote, while white smoke—accompanied by the proclamation Habemus Papam—will indicate that a new pope has been chosen.
Currently, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin remains the bookmakers’ favorite to succeed the late Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. Other prominent names circulating include Francis Prevost, Jean-Marc Aveline, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Matteo Zuppi, and Angel Fernandez Artime.
Should the cardinals fail to elect a pope after 24 rounds of voting, they may agree to revise the procedures—although the election will still require a simple majority from that point forward.
Once a new pope accepts the election, he will choose a papal name and appear before the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, delivering his first apostolic blessing to the world.
At AfriCareers, we are closely monitoring every development from Vatican City. Stay tuned to our blog—we’ll bring you the breaking news as soon as Habemus Papam is declared.