The first vote in the papal conclave to select the next pope has ended, with black smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney at 9pm local time (5am AEST). Source: The Age.
More than 45,000 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.
Cast over more than three hours, the initial vote of the record 133 cardinals was not expected to yield a result.
The cardinals will retire to their Vatican quarters overnight and resume voting on Thursday morning (local time).
Sequestered from the outside world and without access to modern technology, the cardinals 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.
Giant screens had shown the opening procession of the conclave as thousands of pilgrims gathered at St Peter’s Square, along with thousands of the world’s press. By 6.30pm local time 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 gasped and cheered as black smoke billowed from the makeshift chimney installed at the weekend.
Cardinals from 70 countries filed into the iconic chapel earlier in the day, the doors slamming shut behind them. Inside, they chanted prayers such as the Litany of the Saints and Veni Creator, seeking guidance for the task ahead.
Four rounds of voting will be held daily – in the morning and afternoon – with smoke signalling the result of each session. If no consensus is reached after three days, the cardinals will take a 24-hour break for reflection, a tradition that has not been needed since 1831.
The next vote will take place today (6.30pm AEST), and all eyes will be on the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, where the crucial signals of black or white smoke will mark each decision – or lack thereof.
FULL STORY
First conclave vote to elect new pope fails as black smoke emerges (By Rob Harris, The Age)
