The Vatican

Second black smoke

This afternoon at around 5:30 or 7:00 p.m. the next smoke will be released.

Javier García Herrería-May 8, 2025-Reading time: < 1 minute
second smoke

©Photo CNS/Lola Gomez

This Wednesday at 11:51 a.m., a second black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that none of the 133 cardinals voters has reached the 89 votes needed to elect the new pontiff. The conclave, which began yesterday, remains without a consensus after three ballots.

Two votes, one smoke

As a rule, on mornings with double voting, there is only a joint smoke at the end of the second round. This was the case today: although two rounds of voting took place, neither was conclusive and the smoke was black.

The cardinals are called to vote again this afternoon, in one or two rounds, depending on the results. If after the first one in the afternoon a majority is not reached, the second vote of the day will be completed and the smoke will rise again from the Sistine Chapel around 7:00 p.m.

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