The centuries-old ritual to elect a new pope began in earnest today as the College of Cardinals cast their first ballot inside the Sistine Chapel.
By evening, a plume of black smoke billowed from the chapel’s chimney, a clear sign to the world that no consensus had been reached.
The solemn spectacle, observed by thousands in St. Peter’s Square and millions more across the globe, marks the start of a potentially days-long process to select the successor to Pope Francis, whose passing has left the Roman Catholic Church at a historic crossroads.
The 115 cardinal-electors, cloaked in tradition and secrecy, have now entered the period of complete isolation, residing within the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse.
Bound by an oath of silence, they are cut off from any outside communication until a new pontiff is chosen.
Tomorrow, the cardinals will return to the Sistine Chapel after morning Mass to continue deliberations.
Although the first ballot did not yield a result, history suggests a decision could come soon, both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis were elected on the second day of voting.
The world now waits, eyes fixed once again on a chimney, hoping for white smoke and the emergence of a new spiritual leader.
