The first day of the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis did not bring the expected result, so the new pope will not be known until the next few days.
One hundred and thirty-three cardinal electors gathered in the Sistine Chapel to begin the process of choosing a new pope, but the first round of voting ended without success. Black smoke billowing over the Vatican signalled that no candidate had won the necessary two-thirds majority.
The conclave, which began with the traditional Pro eligendo Pontifice Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, attracted the attention of millions of faithful around the world. The cardinals, enclosed in the Sistine Chapel under a strict oath of secrecy, began discussions and the first indicative vote. According to Vatican scholars, the first day of a conclave is often more of a probe, during which cardinals gauge preferences and possible favorites. Among the frequently mentioned candidates are names such as Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, but no official information on the voting process is available.
The voting process will continue on Thursday, when additional rounds of voting are scheduled - up to four per day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon. It is expected that a new pope could be elected on Thursday or Friday if the cardinals can reach a consensus. The faithful and the world's media are keeping a watchful eye on any smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney, waiting for the white smoke and the announcement of Habemus Papam.
The conclave comes at a time when the Catholic Church is facing a number of challenges, including issues of modernisation, interreligious dialogue and responding to global social change. The election of a new Pope will thus be a key moment for the future direction of the Church.
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