Black smoke once again billowed from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney on Thursday, signaling that the cardinals gathered in conclave have not yet decided who will become the next pope.
This marks the second consecutive day without a successful vote, as 133 cardinal electors continue their secret deliberations within the Vatican. The traditional black smoke, produced by burning the ballots, indicated to the thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square that a new pope had not yet been chosen.
The faithful and curious continue to wait in anticipation as the world watches for the white smoke that will announce the election of a new spiritual leader for the Roman Catholic Church.
