Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Cardinals fail to elect pope after three ballots

Black smoke rose from above the Sistine Chapel for a second day today after a secret conclave of cardinals held two more inconclusive votes for a new pope to lead the troubled Church.

The 115 cardinal electors entered the conclave in the Sistine's Renaissance splendour on Tuesday and held their first inconclusive ballot that evening.

Black smoke emerged again on Wednesday after the cardinals held two morning ballots. Before returning to the conclave they had prayed for inspiration from God to choose a leader who can lead the Church out of scandal and internal strife.

Two more sessions will be held on Wednesday afternoon under a schedule that sees four votes each day. When the new pontiff is elected, white smoke will billow from the makeshift chimney above the chapel and the bells of St Peter's Basilica will ring.

The black smoke on Wednesday caused disappointment among excited crowds braving incessant rain in St. Peter's Square, but few had expected a decision so soon after the conclave began.