The papal conclave has entered its second day without a decision, as cardinals remain unable to elect a new pope following the first round of voting.
On Wednesday evening, black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signalling to the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square and to Catholics around the world that no candidate had yet secured the necessary two-thirds majority to become the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Since the passing of Pope Francis, 220 cardinals from nearly 70 countries have gathered in Rome to mourn and to participate in the secretive election process. Of these, 133 cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, marking the largest conclave in history. These electors represent a wide spectrum of the Church’s global presence, with contingents from Italy, Asia, Africa, and North America.
The conclave commenced with a solemn Mass at St Peter’s Basilica, after which the cardinals proceeded to the Sistine Chapel. There, they surrendered their mobile phones and took oaths of secrecy, while the Vatican disabled mobile signals to ensure the privacy of their deliberations.
The election process is steeped in centuries-old tradition and symbolism. Ballots are cast in strict secrecy, and the result is communicated to the public solely through the colour of the smoke emitted from the chapel’s chimney: black smoke denotes an inconclusive vote, while white smoke announces the election of a new pope.
Historically, it is uncommon for a pope to be chosen on the first day; voting often continues over several days. If no candidate achieves the required majority after 33 or 34 ballots—typically around 13 days—a runoff between the two leading contenders occurs, though many cardinals expect a relatively swift conclusion this year.
Among the frontrunners to succeed Pope Francis are Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Italy’s Secretary of State, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines. Parolin is widely regarded as the leading candidate, known for his extensive diplomatic experience in countries such as Nigeria, Mexico, and Venezuela. Seen as a continuity candidate, he is expected to uphold many of Francis’s reforms, although some critics highlight his more conservative stances on certain issues.
Tagle, admired for his progressive views and advocacy for the marginalised, is considered a strong contender capable of continuing Francis’s legacy and representing the Church’s growing influence in Asia and the Global South.
Should the conclave reach an impasse, compromise candidates such as Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Matteo Zuppi of Bologna may emerge. Pizzaballa is respected for his efforts to foster dialogue in the Middle East and his pragmatic leadership style, while Zuppi is viewed as a moderate reformer with the ability to bridge divisions within the College of Cardinals.
The election is closely watched not only by Catholics but also by world leaders and observers who recognise the pope’s unique role as a global moral voice. While the cardinals prepare to resume voting, anticipation continues to build in St Peter’s Square and beyond. The world awaits the moment when white smoke will rise and bells will ring, which will signal the selection of a new spiritual leader for more than 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.