Black smoke signals end of first day of conclave
May 7, 2025, 22:30
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No Pope was elected after the first ballot of the conclave to elect the 267th Pope.
Black smoke emerged from the chimney over the Sistine Chapel at 21:00 on Wednesday evening, signalling that a first ballot has been held at the conclave and has concluded without the election of a Pope.
Around 45,000 people had gathered in St Peter’s Square to await the announcement, which had been expected some time after 7 pm. In the end, they had to wait until 9.
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.”
photo: Vatican Media
