The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
Thick black smoke poured from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney on Thursday, signaling that Catholic cardinals have once again failed to elect a new pope.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel
Crowds of faithful and tourists gathered in St. Peter’s Square reacted with a mix of applause and disappointment after the result of the morning’s second and third voting rounds.
The 133 cardinals, tasked with choosing a successor to Pope Francis, entered into a secluded conclave on Wednesday evening. Inside the historic 15th-century chapel, they communicate their progress through the smoke produced by burning ballots—black indicates no decision; white signals the election of a new pope.
The first black smoke appeared about three hours after the conclave began on Wednesday, prompting mild letdowns among onlookers. Still, many returned Thursday morning as voting resumed. Cardinals were expected to cast two additional ballots in the afternoon and up to four more on Friday if needed.
“I’d rather they take their time to make the right choice,” said Barbara Mason, 50, a Canadian visitor who came to witness the conclave. She expressed hope for a pope who would continue the progressive legacy of Francis, especially in championing environmental issues and migrant rights.
Pope Francis, who led the Church for 12 years with a focus on reform, inclusion, and global justice, passed away on April 21 at age 88.
