Thick black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that the College of Cardinals has failed to elect a new pope in its initial round of voting.
Thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, watching anxiously as the dark smoke confirmed that no candidate had secured the required two-thirds majority.
The 133 cardinals, who are secluded from all external communication during the conclave, will retire for the night and resume voting on Wednesday.
The secretive process will continue until a consensus is reached and white smoke signals the election of the next Pontiff.
