What does black smoke at the Vatican mean? Papal conclave day 1 ends without a new pope
Black smoke was observed during the end of the first day of the conclave at 21:00, hours after the doors of the Sistine Chapel were closed. What does it mean?
The Papal Conclave saw the end of the first day and black smoke was seen emerging from the Sistine Chapel. This happened at 21.00 local time, after the doors of the Sistine Chapel were closed with the words, "Extra omnes" or "Everyone out."
What does black smoke symbolize?
According to a Vatican News' post, black smoke indicates that no new pope has been decided upon yet. This means the proceedings around choosing a new Pope will again continue tomorrow when the Cardinal electors assemble together.
This electoral process comes soon after the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. The caption by Vatican News on X read, "Black smoke signaled the end of the first day of the conclave at 21:00, hours after the doors of the Sistine Chapel were closed with the words, "Extra omnes" or “Everyone out.” This means the conclave will continue tomorrow morning when the Cardinal electors will gather once more in the Chapel around 10:30am Rome time to cast their votes again for the election of the 267th Pope."
How is a new pope chosen?
The conclave happens when the papacy is vacant, either because the pope resigned or died. The cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel. They're secluded to ensure secrecy and avoid outside influence.
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The papal conclave, a centuries-old tradition, unfolds in secrecy whenever the Catholic Church needs a new leader. Here’s how it works:
Cardinals under age 80 gather in Rome, swearing oaths of silence. They’re locked inside the Sistine Chapel—no phones, media, or outsiders—until a pope is elected.
Voting Rounds:
Ballots are cast twice daily. Each cardinal writes a name; a two-thirds majority is required. If no consensus emerges, ballots are burned with chemicals, producing black smoke.
What does white smoke signify?
When a candidate secures enough votes, ballots are burned with additives to create white smoke. Bells ring across St. Peter’s Square to confirm the decision. The dean of cardinals announces the new pope’s chosen name from the Vatican balcony. The pontiff then delivers his first blessing to the world. The last conclave in 2013 elected Pope Francis after five ballots.
