Black smoke rises from Sistine Chapel; no new pope yet

This photograph shows black smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel signalling that cardinals failed to elect a new pope in the first ballot of their conclave in the Vatican on May 7, 2025. (Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Thursday (Manila time), which means that no pope was elected in the first round of the conclave.

The smoke billowed from the chapel’s chimney after some 133 Cardinals gathered inside the chapel behind lock doors.

READ: Doors of Sistine Chapel close, conclave begins – Vatican

The black smoke—which results from burning ballots in a special stove—signals that no pope was elected, meaning no “papabile,” or cardinals likely to succeed Pope Francis secured the two-thirds majority of the votes.

READ: Hope rises for Cardinal Tagle as Pope Francis’ successor

With this, the cardinal electors will proceed to a second round on Thursday, May 8.

Among the frontrunners cited in several reports include the Philippines’ own Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, as well as Cardinal Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” David. /cb