After the cardinals responsible for electing the next pope were locked inside the Sistine Chapel without cellphones, the only means of communication with the outside world was through smoke signals.
The secret voting commenced in the early evening, with 133 cardinals writing candidates’ names on ballots while attempting to disguise their handwriting. Outside in St. Peter’s Square, thousands gathered in anticipation of the announcement regarding the new papal successor. At 9 p.m., black smoke rose from a chimney on the chapel's roof, indicating that the cardinals had not yet reached a decision.
Had the smoke been white, it would have signaled the election of a new pope in just one round of voting, a rare occurrence. The black smoke meant the cardinals would need to continue their deliberations.
Rev. Peter Mangum, a priest from Louisiana, expressed the discomfort of waiting outside for several hours, emphasizing his determination to stay until the outcome was confirmed. He had previously waited for the elections of Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis.
The duration of the conclave is noteworthy; it took two days to elect Pope Francis in 2013 and Benedict XVI in 2005, with no conclave in recent history lasting more than five days.
Despite the rapid dissemination of news in today’s world, the tradition of waiting for the smoke signal in St. Peter’s Square has been in place since the 19th century. Some attendees reported feeling more anxious than the cardinals themselves as they awaited the result.
Among the crowd was Tania Radesca from Venezuela, who had arrived in Rome for a Jubilee pilgrimage. She reflected on her emotional connection to the moment after having seen Pope Francis just a day before his passing.
Many attendees had traveled significant distances to witness the conclave. Rodrigo Pinto, a retired karate instructor from Guatemala, expressed his desire to participate in an event he had only seen through media.
Jennifer Raulli from California was on vacation and decided to wait for the smoke signal instead of attending a scheduled Mass with Pope Francis. She shared her hopes for a more conservative pope who aligns with her views on biblical teachings.
The day began with a Mass led by Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old dean of the College of Cardinals, who urged the cardinals to choose a pope who could inspire moral and spiritual renewal in society. After the service, the cardinals proceeded to the Sistine Chapel, chanting prayers as they entered.
Inside the chapel, the voting process began. The cardinals were prohibited from leaving the Vatican until a two-thirds majority was reached, with all external communications banned to prevent delays in the voting process.
This conclave commenced 16 days after the death of Pope Francis. Observers noted the significance of the moment, even among those not well-versed in Catholicism.
Among the onlookers were a group of pilgrims from Houston who had traveled to Rome for a scheduled meeting with Pope Francis, only to find themselves witnessing the beginning of the conclave instead. One member of the group described their experience as a blessing.
As the black smoke rose into the sky, attendees prepared to continue their wait for the next day’s announcement.