The Director of Public Communications for the Lagos Catholic Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godono, confirmed on Thursday that 133 cardinals eligible to vote will reconvene at the Sistine Chapel today, May 8, to continue the papal election process after an initial voting round on Wednesday ended without success.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Fr. Godono described the proceedings as smooth and spiritually guided, noting that the absence of a result after the first vote aligns with long-standing traditions of the Church.
He explained that the cardinals would hold two voting sessions in the morning and, if necessary, two more in the evening to elect the new spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Observers witnessed black smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney Wednesday evening, a signal that the first vote had not produced a new pope.
Wearing red robes, the 133 cardinals from different continents had entered the chapel to the sound of solemn hymns and organ melodies, after which the doors were ceremonially locked behind them, marking the start of the conclave—a ritual that spans centuries.
Fr. Godono added that once a new pope is chosen, white smoke will rise from the chimney of the Apostolic Palace, and the chosen pontiff will then appear on the balcony to address the faithful.
The cardinals are now faced with the responsibility of choosing a successor to Pope Francis, an Argentine pontiff renowned for his progressive views on issues such as climate change and migration, or pivoting toward a leader who may represent a more conservative direction.
According to NAN, the global Catholic community remains in anticipation following weeks of speculation and ceremony since Pope Francis passed away.
