On Wednesday night, black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, indicating that cardinals confined inside in a conclave to choose a new pope to lead the Roman Catholic Church had cast an inconclusive first vote.
At the conclusion of a day full of grandeur and ritual, thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, waiting for smoke to pour from a narrow chimney on the church roof. Prelates used their secret ballot to pray for heavenly guidance.
More than three hours after the conclave began, the smoke took longer than anticipated to arrive, so the people had to exercise patience.
