Vote in the initial conclave results in thick smoke, signifying that cardinals have not reached a consensus on electing a new pope.

Vote in the initial conclave results in thick smoke, signifying that cardinals have not reached a consensus on electing a new pope.

Cardinals haven't managed to garner the necessary two-thirds majority in the first round of voting for a new pope in the Vatican. Smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 8 pm, signaling their inability to reach an agreement. The crowd in St. Peter's Square had been anticipating the white smoke signaling the arrival of a new pontiff, and the delay left them waiting longer than expected.

Here's a lowdown on the Conclave process after the initial vote falls short:

Initial Steps

1. Rites of Solidarity: The cardinals below 80 years old assemble in the Sistine Chapel, pledging an oath of secrecy before the proceedings commence.
2. Voting Routine: The cardinals cast votes twice daily, starting from the second day of the Conclave. Each ballot contains the name of their preferred candidate.

Voting Mechanics

1. Ballot Tally and Mixing: After all ballots are cast, they're counted and shuffled to ensure randomness. If the number of ballots differs from the number of voters, the process is reframed.
2. Smoke Signals: Each ballot is burned, and black smoke indicates no pope has been selected; white smoke heralds a successful election.

Duration

1. Early Days: The cardinals vote until they achieve a two-thirds majority plus one. If there's no decision after three days, voting is momentarily paused for reflection[4][5].
2. Subsequent Stages: If no pope is chosen by the end of the pause, voting resumes with up to four rounds daily until a candidate secures the required majority[4].
3. Historical Perspective: The conclave typically lasts a few days but there's no time limit to the process, with the longest in history lasting nearly three years[5].

Proceedings and Potential Delays

1. Suspending Balloting: After three days without a new pope, balloting is paused for a day, allowing the cardinals time to contemplate their options[5].
2. Potential Impasses: In certain instances, such as the conclave of 1268-1271, local communities might intervene to expedite the process by confining the cardinals[5]. However, such measures aren't part of today's process.

In essence, the Conclave's process prioritizes confidentiality, contemplation, and collective decision-making among the cardinal electors to select a new pope.

1. Despite the delay, the cardinals below 80 years old still met in the Sistine Chapel, pledging an oath of secrecy before the voting for a new pope began.
2. The cardinals are hopeful that the next two votes at 8 pm, as per the voting routine, might lead to a successful election and end the waiting among the crowds in St. Peter's Square.
3. War, conflicts, and politics have often affected migration patterns and policy-and-legislation, but the cardinals remain undeterred in their commitment to finding a new pope through dialog.
4. If the cardinals fail to reach a two-thirds majority in the coming votes, they might face potential impasses similar to the 1268-1271 conclave, with war-and-conflicts potentially influencing external intervention.
5. General news outlets are closely monitoring the Conclave process, waiting for the white smoke that signals the arrival of a new pontiff and a shift in the religious landscape.
6. The cardinals' work in the Vatican during these critical days is a crucial part of general news, illustrating the complexities of democratic decision-making in unusual settings, such as the election of a spiritual leader amidst war and conflicts.

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