Cardinals resume voting in Sistine Chapel as search for new Pope continues

Cardinals have returned to the Sistine Chapel to continue voting for a new pope after the initial ballot on Wednesday failed to produce a winner, signaling an extended conclave process.

Cardinals reconvened in the Sistine Chapel to resume the voting process for selecting a new pope, after the first round of balloting concluded without a consensus. Black smoke rising from the chapel’s chimney on Wednesday confirmed that no candidate had yet achieved the required two-thirds majority.

Some of the 133 electors had anticipated a swift conclave, believing consensus could be reached quickly on a successor to Pope Francis. However, it may take several additional rounds of voting before one candidate secures the 89 votes needed to become the 267th pope in Catholic Church history.

Historically, the conclave has varied in length. Pope John Paul I was chosen on the fourth ballot in 1978, while John Paul II required eight. Pope Francis was elected on the fifth ballot in 2013.

The cardinals began the highly secretive process Wednesday afternoon, following centuries-old rituals behind closed doors within Vatican City.

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