Black smoke above the Sixtine chapel from the Vatican, after the first vote in the cardinal conclave
The conclave began for the choice of the 267 pope. The 133 cardinals vote in the Sistine Chapel, while the believers follow the chimney, waiting for the white or black signal. Photo: Alberto Lingria / Imago Stock & People / Profimedia
Black smoke rose on Wednesdays from the Capel of the SixTine Chapel, signaling that the first poll of the conclave did not lead to the choice of a new pope.
For the outer world, the only indication of how the conclave goes is the smoke that comes out of the Sixtine chapel, after burning the ballots from each tour. Black smoke indicates that a Pope was not chosen. White smoke announces that a new pontiff has been designated.
Usually, the new Pope appears on the balcony of St. Peter's basils within an hour from his choice. The decision is confirmed by the cardinal dean through the formula “Habemus Papam” – in Latin translation, “We have a Pope” – and presents the new Pontiff, saying the chosen papal name, which can be different from its baptismal name.
For example, Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, but he chose his pontifical name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.
The doors of the Sixtin chapel from the Vatican were closed on Wednesday, thus marking the beginning of the conclave that will choose the future Sovereign Pontiff, after the death of Pope Francis.
In the afternoon, the 133 Cardinals Electors headed in a procession from the Paulin chapel to the Sistine Chapel, where they prayed for divine guidance in choosing the 267 Pontiff, writes Agerpres.
Each of the Cardinals then swore, with his hand on the Gospel, to keep “the absolute secret on everything that is, directly or indirectly, the votes and polls for the choice of the Pontifical Sovereign.”
By the order given in the Latin “extra omnes” (“to go out”), the master of ceremonies, the monster Diego Giovanni Ravelli, invited all the people who were not involved in the secret vote to leave the Sixtine Chapel.
Its doors were then closed, at 5:45 pm (15:45 GMT).
