Vatican City: The Sistine Chapel is once again the heart of the Catholic world as cardinal electors gather for the second day of the conclave to choose a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at age 88.
According to Philippines News Agency, the first smoke rising from the chapel's iconic chimney on Wednesday was black - a sign that no candidate had yet secured the required two-thirds majority vote to become the 267th pontiff. On Thursday, the process resumes with up to four ballots and two smoke signals expected - one set in the morning, another in the afternoon.
If a new pope is chosen early in the session, white smoke could appear as early as 10:30 a.m. Otherwise, watchers may not see smoke until noon. The same goes for the afternoon round, with possible smoke at 5:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m., depending on when (or if) a decisive vote is cast.
The cardinals will remain behind closed doors with no contact with the outside world until a new leader of the Catholic Church is chosen. The faithful had already started to gather in St. Peter's Square early on Thursday, their eyes fixed to the chimney of the Sistine Chapel awaiting the next smoke signal.
Francis died on April 21, Easter Monday, at the age of 88 after 12 years at the helm of the Church.