Mexican worshippers wait on St. Peter’s Sq. on the second day of the conclave, within the Vatican on Might 8, 2025.
Stefano Rellandini/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
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Stefano Rellandini/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
VATICAN CITY — The second day of the conclave to elect a brand new pope started on Thursday, as 133 Catholic cardinals are re-entering the Sistine Chapel, the place the key balloting is held.
Wednesday, the primary day of the conclave, ended with black smoke streaming from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that the cardinals had not chosen a brand new pontiff to succeed the late Pope Francis. A two-thirds majority vote is required for election.
By custom, there was one spherical of voting on Wednesday. On Thursday and the times following there might be 4 rounds of voting every day — two within the morning and two within the afternoon — till a brand new pope is elected.
Because the conclave started, St. Peter’s Sq. was draped in daylight, shimmering behind the dome of the basilica. Folks gathered in small teams to speak as they waited for the famed smoke to waft from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Some positioned themselves within the shade or sat on the bottom.
The group was made up of individuals of all ages, and completely different languages. Clergy and laity, devoted and curious, novice and veteran attendees all packed into the world’s tiniest nation to be part of the historic second.
Though onlookers anticipated black smoke on the primary night of the conclave, pilgrim Ceci Triska stated there was a way of “quiet anticipation” among the many crowd. Triska got here with a bunch of mates from Texas. She stated she did not have a favourite potential pope in thoughts, however as a substitute was searching for larger steerage. “We have been praying for the Holy Spirit to take over. No matter God’s will, it may be nice,” Triska stated.
Black smoke streaming from a chimney of the Sistine Chapel indicators the cardinal electors haven’t reached settlement on the subsequent pope. White smoke indicators the cardinals have elected a brand new pope.
Patrizia Silveri was born in Rome and stated she hopes for an Italian pope. “The pope is like household for the Roman residents,” stated Silveri. “And so we take into account the pope as our enterprise.”
Mireia Mejias is a 20-year-old scholar from Spain who’s finding out in Italy. As a younger Catholic, she stated she is hoping the brand new pope will comply with in Francis’ legacy.
“I hope that the subsequent pope can be a pacesetter for non-Catholics. As a result of for me, Christ is common and the church ought to be common,” stated Mejias.
