Black smoke was reportedly , seen emanating from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel Wednesday evening, after Cardinals went into conclave to elect a new Pope , indicating no new pope was elected during the first round of voting.
One hundred and thirty-three red-robed cardinals from around the world filed into the Sistine Chapel to the strains of a choir backed by organ music, and the doors sealed behind them. The papal conclave , a centuries-old tradition to elect a new head of the Catholic Church has now begun.
Pix: Black smoke seen at the chimney after first vote
The cardinal-electors or cardinals under 80 will be barred from leaving or any contact with the outside world. The Vatican governorate said today that access to telecommunications signal for those involved went dark at 9 a.m. ET.
The Cardinal -electors will now vote until they select the next leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. That will be announced with white smoke billowing from the Apostolic Palace Soon after, the new pope will emerge onto the balcony to greet his flock.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama