Black Smoke at Vatican, No Pope Elected
- VATICAN CITY (AP) — Black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney around 9 p.m.
- Thousands of onlookers,both curious and faithful,gathered in St.Peter's Square, awaiting news from the closed-door proceedings.
- Analysts had considered it unlikely that any candidate woudl secure the necessary two-thirds majority, or 89 votes, in the first round of voting.
Black Smoke Signals No Pope Elected in First Conclave Vote
Table of Contents
- Black Smoke Signals No Pope Elected in First Conclave Vote
- Black Smoke Signals & The Papal conclave: Your Questions Answered
- What does black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney signify?
- What happened in the first vote of the Papal Conclave?
- Where does the papal conclave take place?
- Who participates in the papal conclave?
- How does the process of electing a new Pope work?
- What is the meaning of the phrase “Extra omnes!”?
- Why is secrecy so important during a papal conclave?
- How many votes are usually taken in a papal conclave?
- What happens after each vote in the conclave?
- What is the role of the chimney in the papal conclave?
- What is the required majority for electing a pope?
- Were analysts expecting a new pope to be elected in the first round of voting?
- What happened in the morning before the conclave began?
- What does the image in the article show?
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney around 9 p.m. Wednesday, signaling that the 133 cardinals participating in the papal conclave had not elected a new pope in their initial vote, according to reports from the France-Presse agency.
Black smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel chimney on May 7, 2025, signaling that the first ballot in the papal conclave did not result in the election of a new pope. Tiziana Fabi / AFP
Thousands of onlookers,both curious and faithful,gathered in St.Peter’s Square, awaiting news from the closed-door proceedings. Many had waited more than three hours.
Analysts had considered it unlikely that any candidate woudl secure the necessary two-thirds majority, or 89 votes, in the first round of voting. The cardinals are scheduled to reconvene Thursday for a second day of conclave, with two ballots planned in both the morning and afternoon.
“Outside All!”
The conclave began Wednesday afternoon following a solemn ceremony at the Vatican. After a morning mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, held more than two weeks after the death of Pope Francis, the cardinals, clad in red and white vestments, gathered in the Pauline Chapel for a prayer service before processing to the Sistine Chapel around 4 p.m.
With their hands placed on the Gospels, each cardinal swore in Latin to maintain absolute secrecy regarding the conclave’s deliberations, under threat of excommunication. According to liturgical custom,the master of pontifical liturgical celebrations,diego Ravelli,then declared,“Extra omnes!” (“Outside all!”),ordering all unauthorized personnel,including officiants,nurses,and other religious figures,to leave the chapel. Strict isolation is enforced; mobile phones are prohibited, and all telecommunications are severed within Vatican city.
By 5:45 p.m., the doors of the Sistine Chapel were sealed, enclosing the “princes of the Church” with Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment” as a backdrop. The world now focuses on the chapel’s chimney, which will emit smoke after each ballot: black smoke if no pope is elected, and white smoke to announce the selection of a new pontiff.
Black Smoke Signals & The Papal conclave: Your Questions Answered
What does black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney signify?
Black smoke signals that a new Pope has *not* been elected. This smoke is released after a vote (or series of votes) in the papal conclave when no candidate has secured the required majority.
What happened in the first vote of the Papal Conclave?
According to reports from the France-Presse agency, the first vote in the papal conclave did not result in the election of a new pope. This was signaled by black smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel chimney around 9 p.m. on Wednesday.
Where does the papal conclave take place?
The papal conclave takes place in the Sistine chapel in Vatican City.
Who participates in the papal conclave?
The 133 cardinals participate in the papal conclave.
How does the process of electing a new Pope work?
The process involves the following major steps, in sequential order:
- A solemn ceremony and a morning mass in St. Peter’s Basilica
- Cardinals, clad in red and white vestments, gather in the Pauline Chapel for a prayer service
- Cardinals process to the Sistine Chapel
- Cardinals swear an oath of secrecy.
- All unauthorized personnel are ordered to leave the chapel (“Extra omnes!”).
- The doors of the Sistine Chapel are sealed.
- The cardinals vote.
- The smoke is released. Black smoke indicates no pope elected, white smoke indicates a new pope.
What is the meaning of the phrase “Extra omnes!”?
“Extra omnes!” is a Latin phrase that translates to “Outside all!”. It is indeed declared by the master of pontifical liturgical celebrations, ordering all unauthorized personnel to leave the chapel before the voting begins.
Why is secrecy so important during a papal conclave?
Cardinals swear an oath of secrecy with their hands on the Gospels, therefore maintaining absolute secrecy regarding the conclave’s deliberations is considered paramount. Breaking the secrecy is punishable by excommunication.
How many votes are usually taken in a papal conclave?
The article indicates that there are multiple ballots planned, with two planned in both the morning and afternoon of subsequent days. No specific number if given in the initial article except that the first vote did not lead to an election.
What happens after each vote in the conclave?
After each ballot, the smoke is released from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney. Black smoke signals that no pope has been elected. White smoke signals the election of a new pontiff.
What is the role of the chimney in the papal conclave?
The chimney is a crucial visual signal to the world. It emits smoke after each ballot to indicate the outcome. Black smoke means no pope has been chosen; white smoke announces the selection of a new pope.
What is the required majority for electing a pope?
A candidate must secure a two-thirds majority, or 89 votes, to be elected.
Were analysts expecting a new pope to be elected in the first round of voting?
No, analysts considered it unlikely that any candidate would secure the necessary two-thirds majority in the first round of voting.
What happened in the morning before the conclave began?
Before the conclave began, a morning mass was held in St. Peter’s Basilica.
What does the image in the article show?
The image shows black smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney, indicating that no pope was elected in the first vote.