Our reporter/ Black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday meaning that cardinals did not elect a new pope on the first day of the conclave.
They’ll return to the Santa Marta residence, where they’ll remain sequestered until a second day of voting begins tomorrow.
People reacted on Wednesday, as black smoke rose from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating no decision has been made to elect a new pope.
Almost as soon as black smoke billowed out of the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, many members of the huge crowd that had gathered in St. Peter’s Square quickly made for the exits.
It’s been centuries since a pope was chosen in the first round of voting. Still, the tens of thousands of people at the Vatican were hoping that this time would be different.
Some of those gathered told reporters they were tourists, hoping that their few days in Rome would coincide with the appointment of a new pope.
The mood among the locals is different. Many came to the Vatican straight after work this afternoon. Tomorrow, they said, they’ll be back.
Meanwhile, a Catholic University professor has called for patience as day 1 of conclave ends.
Day one of the conclave ended later than anticipated for some, but Kurt Martens, a professor of canon law at The Catholic University, said he expected today’s ballot to be later for a number of reasons.
“I was expecting it to be a little bit later, not only because of father or cardinal Cantalamessa, who has a tendency to preach long, but also the taking the oath took forever as they entered into conclave. Much longer than last time around,” Martens told CNN’s Erin Burnett.
Martens also noted that each cardinal has to walk to the altar to cast their ballot. If you have 133 “middle aged men or older than that, come forward — it’s not like you have 20-year-olds running up to the altar, so that takes time,” he said. “They have also to pick the revisers to make sure that the scrutineers did their job, et cetera. So it’s a lengthy process,” he said.
“So be patient. And extend your airtime a little longer,” Martens advised.
With agency report
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