Black smoke signals no pope elected at first vote, next round of voting on Thursday
This was an hour more than it took for smoke to be seen after the first vote in the 2013 conclave that picked the late Pope Francis.
Black smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday evening, indicating no pope was elected on the conclave's first ballot.
The smoke came around four hours after the 133 cardinals solemnly entered the chapel, took their oaths of secrecy and formally opened the ritual to elect a successor to Pope Francis.
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With no one securing the necessary two-thirds majority, or 89 votes, the cardinals will retire for the night to the Vatican residences where they are staying.
Thousands of faithful had gathered in St. Peter's Square, waiting for smoke to pour from a narrow flue on the roof of the chapel at the end of a day rich in ritual and pageantry, with prelates praying for divine guidance in their secret ballot.
The crowds had to be patient as it took longer than expected for the smoke to appear, more than three hours after the start of the conclave.
This was an hour more than it took for smoke to be seen after the first vote in the 2013 conclave that picked the late Pope Francis.
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