2025 conclave: Black smoke at the end of the first day

Around 21:00 (Rome time) on Wednesday, May 7, a black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, a sign that the necessary consensus was not reached to choose the new Pope in the first vote of the conclave.

After the solemn closure of the doors of the Sistine Chapel, the 133 cardinals made the first vote. As expected, none obtained the 89 votes required to be elected pontiff.

Before closing the doors with the “Outside all” (Everyone outside), pronounced by the master of ceremonies, Mons. Diego Ravelli, each of the cardinals lent his oath to keep under secret what happens during the conclave, including Cardinal Vinko Puljic, who finally could reach Rome despite the fact that it was originally informed that he would not do so due to health problems.

The first day of the conclave began at 10:00 in the morning (Rome time), with the Misa for choosing a Pope (For the choice of the pontiff), which celebrated in the basilica of San Pedro Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Italian of 91 years and dean of the Cardinal College who, because they are over 80 years of age cannot vote.

Before the cardinal electors and non -voters, he reflected in his homily on the Pentecost scene, narrated in the Acts of the Apostles (cf. Acts 1,14) to point out that, as the apostles did then, the cardinals are also “under the look of the Virgin” and accompanied by all the people of God, which “is united to us with their sense of faith.

“We are here to invoke the help of the Holy Spirit, to implore its light and strength, so that the Pope is chosen that the Church and humanity need at this time in history so difficult and complex,” said the purple.

“The choice of the new Pope is not a simple succession of people, but is always the apostle Peter that returns,” Re towards the end of his preaching.

The beginning of the conclave

After the Mass and in the afternoon, the cardinals met in the Paulina chapel for the initial conclave ceremony presided by Cardinal Pietro Parolin. From there they walked to the Sistine Chapel to begin voting against the iconic fresh of the final judgment of Miguel Ángel.

Historically, no Pope has been chosen on the first day of the conclave. Among the most recent, the fastest election was that of Pope Pius XII in 1939, which was chosen in the third vote. Pope Francis, for example, was chosen in the fifth vote.

From the first hour of the Roman afternoon, thousands of faithful gathered in the Plaza de San Pedro to follow the event. According to Vatican News, there were about 45,000 people waiting for the first smoke.

Through the screens installed along the Via Della Coniliazione, they were able to witness live the procession of the cardinals to the Sistine Chapel and then the first black smoke.

The conclave will continue tomorrow, Thursday, May 8 in the morning. As reported Vatican News The cardinals will meet before 8:00 (Rome time) in the Apostolic Palace, for Mass and pray the laudes in the Paulina Chapel. Then they will go to the Sistine Chapel at 9.15 to recite the middle prayer and the voting will begin.