Cardinals Begin Second Day of Conclave to Elect New Pope The largest and most geographically diverse conclave in history was due to resume on Thursday, with Roman Catholic cardinals returning to the Sistine Chapel to continue the process of electing a new pope. The first day saw a heavily ritualized start, with black smoke rising from the chimney over St. Peter’s Square—indicating no decision had yet been reached. A record 133 cardinals from 70 countries are participating, up from 115 from 48 nations in 2013, reflecting Pope Francis’s efforts to expand the Church’s global reach. The initial ballot produced no winner, which was widely expected, as no modern pope has been elected on the first try. Typically, it takes multiple rounds of voting, with up to four allowed per day.The conclave is conducted in strict secrecy, with cardinals sequestered, their communication devices confiscated, and their movements limited to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican guesthouses. Two front-runners—Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle—are considered the most likely contenders, though no clear favorite has emerged. Other potential candidates include France’s Jean-Marc Aveline, Hungary’s Peter Erdo, and American Robert Prevost, among others. Historically, if a candidate secures a two-thirds majority, white smoke signals the election of a new pope. Depending on how voting progresses, support may shift among candidates based on regional, doctrinal, or linguistic similarities. The conclusion of the conclave will mark the beginning of a new chapter for the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
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