First ballot: Black smoke signals no pope yet as conclave voting starts

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MANILA, Philippines — No pope was elected in the first round of voting by the College of Cardinals, as black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel at around 3 a.m. on Thursday, May 8 (Manila time).

The 133 cardinal-electors, sequestered inside the chapel, will return to Domus Sanctae Marthae before resuming the process the following day.

Up to four rounds of voting are set to occur each day—twice in the morning and twice in the evening—until a candidate secures the required two-thirds majority.

Voting times in the coming days (Manila time) are scheduled as follows:

• 4:30 p.m.
• 6 p.m.
• 11:30 p.m.
• 1 a.m.

If no candidate receives enough votes, black smoke will continue to signal an inconclusive result; white smoke will indicate a new pope has been chosen.

Originally, 135 cardinal-electors were expected, but two-one from Spain and one from Kenya—are absent due to health reasons.