What to know
- It’s the first full day of the conclave to find a replacement for Pope Francis, with this morning’s inconclusive pair of votes yielding black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney at midday local time (6 a.m. ET). The next vote is set to begin at 4 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET).
- 133 red-robed cardinals from around the world have cast their ballots in three rounds of voting so far. On Wednesday evening, after more than three hours, two inconclusive votes were signaled by black smoke. Thursday morning’s votes were a repeat of that.
- During the papal conclave the cardinals are barred from leaving or having any contact with the outside world. The cardinal electors can vote in up to 34 rounds of voting until they select the next leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
- That will be announced with white smoke billowing from the Apostolic Palace after which the new Pope will emerge onto the balcony to greet his flock.
- From The NY Times:
