• White Smoke expected today as Cardinals continue voting for a new pope

• The conclave is divided between those supporting Pope Francis’ reforms and those seeking a traditional papacy.

• Several potential candidates, including Cardinals Tagle, Prevost, and Parolin, are being discussed for the papacy.

Cardinals failed again Thursday morning to find a successor to Pope Francis, sending black smoke billowing up through the Sistine Chapel chimney after two more inconclusive rounds of conclave voting.

With no candidate securing the necessary two-thirds majority, or 89 votes, the world will need to wait longer for a new leader of the Catholic Church.

Also on Wednesday, black smoke poured from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. This was the first time that the cardinals indicating not electing a new pope during the conclave, which has started on Wednesday.

The voting process is still ongoing, with no clear frontrunner emerging yet. The cardinals will continue to cast their ballots on Thursday in a series of secret votes. With no new pope chosen, the 133 cardinals have returned to the Santa Marta residence at the Vatican. They will remain sequestered there until a decision is made. Catholics around the world will have to wait as the process unfolds. They still have no idea who will lead the church next.

Short Conclave Expected

On Thursday, the cardinals will hold up to four rounds of voting. Two rounds will be held in the morning and two in the afternoon. If a candidate receives the required two-thirds majority in the first round, the ballots will be immediately burned. White smoke may then rise between 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. or between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. If no candidate wins the required majority in either session, the ballots from both rounds will be burned together. This will happen around 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. As long as no consensus is reached, the ballots will burn with a chemical additive. This will produce black smoke from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel. Only when a new pope is elected will the smoke turn white, and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica will ring.

Strict Rules in Place

The cardinals have taken an oath of secrecy. They also handed over their phones and electronic devices to avoid leaks or outside communication. No cardinals can contact anyone outside the conclave during the voting process. They will only get their devices back once the conclave ends. If a cardinal breaks the secrecy oath, the church will automatically excommunicate them. This ensures that the process remains secure and confidential.

Crowds Watch the Smoke Signals

Thousands of people gathered at St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday evening to watch for the smoke signals. They hoped to see white smoke, signaling the election of a new pope. While it’s unusual for the cardinals to choose a pope on the first day, the crowd remained hopeful. Carla Peat, a 19-year-old from Scotland, came to Rome with friends. She said, “We tried to manifest it, but we kind of knew it wouldn’t be tonight.” The group joked about their local priest going to dinner instead of watching the chimney. They planned to return on Thursday to continue watching.

Two Camps of Cardinals

The conclave is divided into two main groups. One group wants to continue the reforms of Pope Francis. The other group favors a return to a more traditional papacy. These two camps are known as “unity” and “diversity.” The “unity” camp seeks a more predictable and stable papacy. The “diversity” camp wants someone who will continue with Pope Francis’ vision of change. These divisions have created tension, and it remains unclear which side will prevail.

Scandals Affecting the Church

The conclave happens during a time of crisis for the Catholic Church. Several scandals involving clerical sexual abuse have shaken the church. Many inside the church believe that deep reforms are needed to address these issues. The next pope will have to confront these challenges head-on. The cardinals are aware of this and are looking for someone capable of making meaningful changes.

Possible Candidates for Pope

Although there is no official list of papal candidates, some names are being discussed. Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio “Chito” Tagle is considered a leading candidate. American Cardinal Robert Prevost also has significant support. Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the former Vatican Secretary of State, is another name frequently mentioned. These cardinals are seen as possible contenders to lead the church into its next phase.

Uncertainty Due to Pope Francis’ Changes

The unpredictability of this conclave is partly due to the changes made by Pope Francis. He reshaped the College of Cardinals, making it more reflective of the global church. This has led to a situation where many cardinals do not know each other well. Some even had to wear name badges during meetings before the conclave began. The old, unwritten rules for selecting cardinals are no longer in place, adding an element of uncertainty to the process.