The largest and most geographically diverse papal conclave in history resumed on Thursday, with Roman Catholic cardinals returning to the Sistine Chapel to continue voting for the next pope.
On Wednesday, the red-robed cardinals began the sacred and highly ritualised process of selecting a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month. As expected, the first vote was inconclusive, signaled by black smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney—visible to the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
No pope in modern times has been elected on the first ballot. However, the election of a new pontiff could come as early as Thursday, with up to four rounds of voting possible throughout the day.
This conclave marks a historic high: 133 cardinals from 70 countries are participating, up from 115 cardinals from 48 countries in 2013. The increased diversity reflects Pope Francis’ efforts to globalize the Church during his 12-year tenure.
Francis himself was elected after five rounds of voting on the second day in 2013, while his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, was chosen in four rounds in 2005.
There is no clear frontrunner in this year’s conclave, though Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle are viewed as strong contenders. If neither secures the required two-thirds majority, voting may shift toward alternative candidates—potentially influenced by geography, theological alignment, or shared language.
Other names mentioned as possible successors include French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, American Cardinal Robert Prevost, and Italian Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
During the conclave, cardinals are fully sequestered within Vatican grounds. All communication devices are surrendered, and the electors are shuttled between the Sistine Chapel for voting and nearby Vatican accommodations for meals and rest.
The Church remains divided on the direction of its future. While some cardinals seek a continuation of Pope Francis’ progressive reforms and global outreach, others yearn for a return to more traditional values. Many hope for a balanced leader who can offer stability and unity to the Church’s 1.4 billion faithful.
White smoke from the chapel’s chimney will mark the moment a new pope has been chosen.
