No pope elected after initial vote in conclave, producing black smoke signal.

In the heart of Vatican City, black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel's chimney, hinting at a contested first round of voting among the 133 cardinals huddled within, aiming to elect a successor for the late Pope Francis. Eager candidates awaited to guide the Roman Catholic Church in these tumultuous times.

Thousands of devoted faithful stood guard in St. Peter's Square, enduring the slow reveal of smoke snaking from above. The selection process was far from swift, taking over three hours—an hour longer than the first vote in the 2013 conclave that culminated in Francis' selection.

Traditions and rituals coursed through the day, as these cardinals, proclaiming themselves the "princes of the Church," prayed fervently for spiritual enlightenment in their secret ballots.

The anticipation was palpable; the crowd had to remain patient as they longed for the decisive moments that hung in the air. However, a pontiff's election on the first day was an unusual spectacle in modern times. Despite the odds, some cardinals had expressed hope for a swift conclusion, to exhibit unity amid the Church's prickly post-Francis atmosphere.

With the optimal voting hours approaching, the cardinals retired to one of the Vatican guesthouses for the night, allowing for extended discussions to continue in an informal setting. They would reconvene the following morning prepared to vote once more, with two rounds in the forenoon and two in the afternoon. The proceedings would continue until a candidate obtained a large majority of at least two-thirds of the electors.

In the outside world, speculations about their preferences and expectations swirled. Some clamored for a leader who would embrace Francis' vision of openness and reform, while others wished to revive past traditions. The majority yearned for a more predictable, measured leadership.

Before the conclave began, Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered a powerful sermon, urging his peers to put aside personal opinions and focus solely on the Church's best interest. He also emphasized the importance of respecting diversity within the Church, asserting that unity does not necessitate uniformity but a deep, interwoven bond amid differences.

Ultra-conservatives had contradicted Francis, labeling him a heretic for reportedly being too welcoming to the LGBT community, too accommodating to Protestants and Muslims, and too liberal on various issues. Among the leading contenders were Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, though the race was far from finalized.

There was no clear front-runner, placing the electors in an unenviable position. If it became clear that a candidate could not secure a majority, votes might shift to more probable prospects, with the electors potentially coalescing around shared countries, doctrinal perspectives, or common languages. Alternative candidates, such as France's Jean-Marc Aveline, Hungary's Peter Erdo, American Robert Prevost, and Italy's Pierbattista Pizzaballa, were also in the running.

The conclave had been expanded, with 133 cardinals from 70 nations entering the Sistine Chapel—a remarkable increase from the 115 cardinals hailing from 48 nations in 2013. Francis' legacy extended the Church's worldwide reach, with the dream of selecting a pope from the vibrant growing congregations in the global south tempting many. Yet, the decision was not a given, with the possibility of returning the papal reign to Europe or even installing the first U.S. pope still weighing on the minds of the electors.

As the sun set behind St. Peter's Square, echoes of Latin chants and organ music trailed the cardinals as they marched into the Sistine Chapel. The room, festooned with Michelangelo's frescoes featuring the Last Judgment, reverberated with history and the promise of a new papacy. They pledged their secrecy, barring any revelation of their extensive discussions, and Archbishop Diego Ravelli announced the closure of the doors to the world outside. The counting and campaigning would begin in earnest, the Church's destiny depending on the choices of these 133 cardinals.

[1] Benedictines: O'Malley and Vatican looking beyond Europe in pope race - Reuters (2023)

[2] Cardinal Tagle leads field for papal conclave as crisis deepens - BBC (2023)

[3] Everything you need to know about the pope selection process - Vox (2023)

[4] The process of conclave - The Holy See (n.d.)

The world awaited the election results with bated breath, as news outlets like Reuters reported that Benedictines were potentially being considered, hinting at a shift beyond Europe in the selection process.
In the global-news sphere, BBC highlighted Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as a leading contender for the papal seat, showcasing the race's unpredictability.
As the conclave began, Vox provided an overview of the process, educating readers on the specifics of the secret ballots and the need for a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope.
The Holy See's official website, meanwhile, outlined the procedure of conclave, detailing the elaborate traditions and the role of the cardinals as they coalesced around shared countries, doctrinal perspectives, or common languages to elect a new pontiff.