BLACK SMOKE AGAIN: Second Catholic cardinals’ ballot produces no pope
For the second time, black smoke billowed from a chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signaling that the cardinals locked in a conclave have not yet chosen a new pope to guide the Roman Catholic Church.
The election of the 267th pope, which commenced on Wednesday, saw 133 cardinals from across the globe converge to choose a new pontiff.
The cardinals held an initial inconclusive vote on Wednesday evening and two more votes on Thursday morning as thousands of faithful again gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
They are scheduled to hold up to two more ballots on Thursday afternoon, with possible smoke signals expected some time after 5:30 p.m. (1530 GMT).
They will keep on voting up to four times a day until someone wins a two-thirds majority.
No pope in modern times has been elected on the first attempt, so Wednesday’s black smoke was widely expected. But given recent history, a final result is possible from the second day.
READ ALSO: VATICAN CONCLAVE: Black smoke signals no new pope elected on first day
Francis, the first pope from Latin America, was elected on the evening of the second day of the last conclave, held in 2013, as was his predecessor, Benedict XVI, in 2005.
Earlier on Tuesday, the mobile phone signal was shut down to block any form of disruptive surveillance or external interference during the new pope’s election.
Possible new pope?
Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline
Aveline, 66, the archbishop of Marseille, is known for his easy-going nature, readiness to crack jokes and ideological proximity to Francis, especially on immigration and relations with the Muslim world.
Aveline would become the first French pope since the 14th century and the youngest pope since John Paul II.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo
Charles Maung Bo, 76, broke new ground in 2015 when Francis appointed him as the first Catholic cardinal from Buddhist-majority Myanmar.
However, Bo is a somewhat divisive figure at home – even within the country’s Catholic minority – because of his dealings with its military leadership, in charge since 2021.
Cardinal Peter Erdo
Erdo, 72, from Hungary, would be seen as a compromise candidate – someone from the conservative camp who has built bridges with Francis’ progressive world.
He was considered a contender in the 2013 conclave thanks to extensive contacts in Europe and Africa.
Cardinal Mario Grech
Grech, 68, comes from Gozo, a tiny island that is part of Malta. Initially viewed as a conservative, Grech has become a torchbearer for Francis’ reforms, becoming more open to issues such as LGBT rights and Holy Communion for divorcees.
Cardinal Cristobal Lopez Romero
The Spanish-born archbishop of Rabat, Morocco, 72, known for his missionary work and strong advocacy for migrants, has made it clear that he does not want to be pope.
He is seen to embody Francis’ focus on the “peripheries” and interreligious dialogue, particularly with Islam.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
A 70-year-old Italian, Parolin is seen as a compromise candidate between progressives and conservatives. He has been a Church diplomat for most of his life and served as Francis’ secretary of state since 2013.
The position is similar to that of a prime minister and is often called the “deputy pope” because they rank second to the pontiff in the Vatican hierarchy. Parolin would return the papacy to the Italians for the first time since 1978.
Cardinal Robert Prevost
Prevost, 69, an American who has spent much of his career as a missionary in Peru, is a relative unknown on the global stage.
Originally from Chicago, he has attracted interest from his peers because of his quiet style and support for Francis’ 12-year papacy, especially his commitment to social justice.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle
Tagle, a Filipino, aged 67, is often called the “Asian Francis” because of his easy laugh and commitment to social justice. If elected he would be the first pontiff from Asia.
In a move seen by some as a strategy by Francis to give Tagle some Vatican experience, Pope Francis in 2019 appointed him head of the Church’s missionary arm, formally known as the Dicastery for Evangelisation.
Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi
Zuppi, 69, is known as a “street priest” who focuses on migrants and the poor, and cares little about pomp and protocol. He goes by the name of “Father Matteo”, and in Bologna often uses a bicycle rather than an official car.
If he were made pope, conservatives would likely view him with suspicion. Victims of Church sex abuse might also object to him, since the Italian Catholic Church, which he has led since 2022, has been slow to investigate and confront the issue.
