Black smoke at first vote

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Black smoke rose from the chimney at Sistine Chapel, indicating that a first vote was taken but no Pope was elected.

The 115 cardinals who cast the first ballot had locked themselves inside the Vatican's Sistine Chapel at 5:27 pm when Mgr Pietro Marini, master of the liturgical celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, uttered extra omnes (all out) and shut the doors,

The next vote will take place tomorrow and the smoke will be visible starting at noon Central European Time (GMT+2 - Summer Time).

Initially, many of the 40,000 faithful who had gathered in St Peter's Square this evening welcomed with shouts and clapping the smoke that came out because it seemed white.

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