Black smoke poured from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel Wednesday indicating that the second and third votes for a Pope have ended with no choice.
The world’s 1.2 billion Catholics are eagerly anticipating the naming of the pope who will succeed the recently retired Benedict XVI. The 85-year-old Benedict stepped down last month claiming that God told him to step aside amid various health issues.
The 115 cardinals tasked with selecting the next Pope are meeting in secret within the Sistine Chapel. They will remain in silence, praying, and voting a maximum of four times a day. When one cardinal receives two-thirds majority, they will be declared the new Pope.
At that point, white smoke will pour from the Chapel’s chimney and an announcement will be made, “Habemus Papam”, meaning “we have a Pope.”
Large crowds have gathered in St. Peter’s Square to await word of a new Pope despite heavy rain that has been drenching the crowds.
A Vatican spokesman said that the lack of a Pope this early in the proceeding is nothing unusual. When Joseph Ratzinger was voted to be Pope Benedict XVI it took four ballots even though he was considered a huge frontrunner for the position.
