Dark smoke has emerged from the chimney at the Sistine Chapel, signaling that a new leader of the Catholic Church has not been chosen yet by the cardinals on the first day of the conclave in the Vatican.
About an hour earlier, 133 cardinals began the ancient and secretive ritual inside the Sistine Chapel after the command “Extra omnes” or “all out” was given, marking the start of the conclave, which is the most globally diverse in the history of the faith spanning 2000 years.
— Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, an Italian who was Francis’ secretary of state and the Vatican No. 2, is a leading contender.
Dressed in red robes, the cardinals made their way into the Sistine Chapel in pairs on Wednesday (early Thursday AEST) while solemnly reciting the prayerful Litany of the Saints, with the Swiss Guards standing watch.
— Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, 72, the archbishop of Budapest, is a leading candidate representing the more conservative wing of the church.
