Cardinals Continue Conclave Voting: No Pope Elected Yet

Conclave Day Two Update

• 🐦 Black smoke was observed rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney after three rounds of voting, indicating no new pope has been elected.
• 🗳️ The 133 elector cardinals have completed their morning session and are preparing for the afternoon voting session.
• ⏳ Historical precedent suggests a decision could be made today, as previous conclaves for Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI were decided after four or five ballots.

Vatican Crowds and Anticipation

• 🏟️ St. Peter's Square saw an estimated 45,000 people gathered the previous night, with a smaller crowd of 11,000 for the morning session.
• 📺 Jumbo screens in the square are projecting live feeds, including a view of the Sistine Chapel's chimney, as onlookers await smoke signals.
• 🤔 Crowd size is difficult to interpret as a barometer of public sentiment regarding the election's progress.

The Voting Process and Next Steps

• 📜 The conclave requires a two-thirds majority (89 votes) for a candidate to be elected pope.
• 🍽️ Cardinals took a lunch break at the Vatican guest house before resuming their afternoon session.
• ⚪ If white smoke appears, signaling a successful election, the new pope is typically expected to emerge on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica about an hour later.
• 🌍 The election of a new pope carries significant anticipation regarding the future direction of the Roman Catholic Church.