VATICAN CITY — Black smoke billowed from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, indicating that the 133 cardinals gathered for the conclave were unable to elect a new pope on their first voting day. Following a solemn procession into the chapel and an oath of secrecy sworn by each cardinal, the first round of balloting began around 5:45 p.m. local time. The iconic chimney became the focal point of anticipation, closely observed by a lone seagull as the cardinals cast their votes.
After a prolonged wait, black smoke emerged at 9:05 p.m., eliciting applause from a crowd exceeding 45,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square. Despite the day’s outcome, the atmosphere remained electric as onlookers awaited a new leader to succeed Pope Francis, who passed away last month at the age of 88.
The square was bustling with pilgrims and spectators, many of whom were mindful that a decision was not expected on the first day. Among those present were Cinzia Caporali and her husband, who traveled from Tuscany to pay their respects at Pope Francis’s tomb. Caporali reflected on her memories from 2005, when Pope Francis’s predecessor, Benedict XVI, was elected in a remarkably quick conclave that finished in under 36 hours.
“I hope the next pope will continue Francis’s legacy,” Caporali said, emphasizing support for marginalized communities. “We shouldn’t focus on the opulence of the church; that’s not what people want anymore.”
In his homily before the conclave, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re called on the cardinals to approach their monumental task with deep responsibility. He urged them to seek guidance from the Holy Spirit as they faced a critical juncture in history. “Love,” he said, “is the only force capable of changing the world.”
Finding a suitable candidate to continue Pope Francis’s mission presents a challenge. The college of cardinals is diverse and, at times, divided. Some cardinals align with the progressive vision Francis championed, while others advocate for a return to traditional practices. The sense among the cardinals prior to the conclave was a shared desire for a swift decision, partly to dispel notions of division within the Catholic Church.
In the lead-up to the voting, the cardinals engaged in discussions about the church’s future, addressing critical issues like evangelization, financial stewardship, and addressing clerical sexual abuse. However, discussions about the role of women in the church, a topic that Francis supported but did not fully embrace, were noticeably absent.
As the conclave began, pink smoke was seen drifting over Gianicolo Hill, a symbolic and peaceful protest by the UK-based group Catholic Women’s Ordination. Advocate Miriam Duignan commented on the exclusion of women from positions of authority within the church, hoping the smoke signals would prompt reflection among the cardinals on gender equity.
The world now watches and waits, as the conclave moves forward, hoping for a leader who will both respect the rich traditions of the Catholic Church while addressing the evolving needs of its global flock.