Cardinals Continue Papal Election Voting in Vatican

Catholic cardinals have returned to the Sistine Chapel for a second day of voting in the largest and most geographically diverse papal conclave in history, seeking a successor to Pope Francis. On the first evening, black smoke signaled that no candidate had yet achieved the required two-thirds majority, leaving the election wide open with no clear frontrunner among the 133 cardinals. Contenders include Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, France’s Jean-Marc Aveline, Hungary’s Peter Erdo, American Robert Prevost, and Italy’s Pierbattista Pizzaballa, though the unpredictable and secretive nature of the process makes outcomes difficult to forecast. The cardinals, sworn to secrecy and isolated from the outside world, may hold up to four voting rounds per day. Crowds continue to gather in St. Peter’s Square, anticipating the white smoke that will announce the new pope, while local observers caution that papal elections often defy expectations. The conclave’s outcome will shape the leadership of the Catholic Church’s 1.4 billion members worldwide.