Black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signalling that the cardinals have not yet elected a new pope as the secretive Vatican conclave continues into its second day.
Black smoke billowed from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, indicating that the College of Cardinals has not yet agreed on a new leader for the Roman Catholic Church.
Thousands of onlookers gathered in St. Peter’s Square, watching as the smoke rose shortly before noon local time (1000 GMT). The signal followed an inconclusive vote by the 133 cardinals under the age of 80, who began the conclave on Wednesday and are locked in total isolation until a new pope is chosen.
The smoke, generated by burning the cardinals’ ballots mixed with special chemicals, plays a key role in the centuries-old ritual. Black smoke means no consensus has been reached, while white smoke heralds the election of a new pontiff.
Cardinals held the first ballot on Wednesday evening, as tradition dictates. On Thursday, they are expected to conduct two votes in the afternoon, with more smoke anticipated around 5:30 p.m. local time (1530 GMT).
Known as the “princes of the Church,” the cardinals may cast up to four votes per day until a candidate secures a two-thirds majority.
Historically, no pope in modern times has been elected on the first ballot. Both Pope Francis, elected in 2013, and his predecessor, Benedict XVI, chosen in 2005, were selected on the evening of the second day — making a similar outcome this week plausible.
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The U.S. Supreme Court has granted a request from the Trump administration to lift protections under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans, potentially opening the door to future deportations while litigation continues.
Lithuania has taken legal action against Belarus at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Minsk of organizing irregular migrant crossings and violating international obligations.
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As South Western Railway becomes the latest operator to be renationalised under Great British Railways (GBR), questions remain about whether these changes will lead to better services or lower fares.
The U.S. Supreme Court has granted a request from the Trump administration to lift protections under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans, potentially opening the door to future deportations while litigation continues.
Lithuania has taken legal action against Belarus at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Minsk of organizing irregular migrant crossings and violating international obligations.
Indonesia has raised the alert level to the highest for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki after it erupted eight times over the weekend, the country’s volcanology agency said.
As South Western Railway becomes the latest operator to be renationalised under Great British Railways (GBR), questions remain about whether these changes will lead to better services or lower fares.
In Malaysia, rivers are under threat from invasive fish species that have spread widely, harming native wildlife and local ecosystems.
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