Black smoke signals end of first day of Conclave

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Source: Vatican Media

Black smoke emerged from the chimney over the Sistine Chapel at 9pm on Wednesday evening, signalling that a first ballot has been held at the conclave and has concluded without the election of a Pope.

To validly elect a new Pope, a two-thirds majority of the electors present is required. If the total number of electors is not evenly divisible by three, an additional vote is necessary.

Around 45,000 people had gathered in St Peter's Square to await the announcement, which had been expected some time after 7pm. In the end, they had to wait two more hours.

There will now be two ballots held in the morning and two in the afternoon each day, until the two-thirds majority is reached.

If the electors fail to reach an agreement on a candidate after three days of inconclusive voting, a break of up to one day is allowed for prayer, free discussion among voters, and a brief spiritual exhortation by the Cardinal Proto-Deacon (Cardinal Dominique Mamberti).

There is no time limit, but both of the most recent conclaves, in 2005 to elect Pope Benedict and 2013 to elect Pope Francis, lasted just two days.

Among those in the square was Deacon Nicholas Nkoronko from Tanzania. Speaking to Vatican News, he said: "Our role here is to pray and to join with other Christians, other Catholics, to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the whole process. Wherever the new Pope comes from... whether it's Africa, Asia, America, what we need is we need a holy Pope. We need a Pope who will guide the Church and will be the pastor of the Church."